The AARP Tax Aide Volunteers will be preparing tax returns again this year at the Fayette Civic Center. This year they will start on February 6th and end on April 10th. We will be closed on April 3rd, Good Friday. They will start at 9 AM and stop at 3PM. They will again be doing returns by appointment only. This year with the changes in tax law, you must bring proof of health insurance for each member of your family. You will also be required to bring a photo ID, Last years tax return, Social Security cards for each member of your family, and all of your tax related forms. Please also bring a check from your checking account, or a letter from your bank on bank letterhead stating your account number and your routing number. We cannot accept those figures written on a piece of paper. Nor will you be allowed to call your bank for that information. This is a free service to the public. For tax related questions or to make an appointment please call Sam Colburn at 205-270-0104.

Posted: 2015-02-02 09:02:00 | Last Updated: 2015-02-02 09:02:00

Alabama Sports Writers Association 2014 All Star Football Team!

By WLDX

Congratulations to our Fayette County athletes who made the Alabama Sports Writers Association 2014 All Star Football Team!

CLASS 4A

FIRST TEAM

Offense

RB – Kyle Nalls, Fayette Co., Sr., 6-1, 190

Coach of the Year – Michael Statom, Deshler

HONORABLE MENTION

Offensive Lineman: Brock Burkhalter, Fayette Co.

CLASS 1A

FIRST TEAM

Defense

DL – Troy Locke, Berry, Jr., 5-11, 155

Athlete

ATH – Dax Benton, Hubbertville, So., 5-11, 165

ATH – A.J. Johnson, Berry, Jr., 5-9, 193

Coach of the Year – Lamar Harris, Hubbertville

SECOND TEAM

Defense

DB – Ryan Howton, Berry, Jr., 6-1, 136

DL – D.J. Pitts, Hubbertville, Jr., 5-9, 235

Athlete

ATH – Vess Benton, Hubbertville, Sr., 6-6, 170

HONORABLE MENTION

Quarterback: James Raines, Berry, So.

Linebacker: Nathan Young, Hubbertville, Sr.

Posted: 2014-12-22 09:57:00 | Last Updated: 2014-12-22 09:57:00

2014 Fayette Christmas Candle Lighting Service

By WLDX

The 2014 Christmas Candle Lighting Service will be held on the Courthouse Lawn in downtown Fayette on Sunday, December 21 at 7 p.m. The service will include Christmas carols and a special performance by the All 4 Him Children's Choir. Come celebrate the true meaning of Christmas. The event is sponsored by the City of Fayette.

Posted: 2014-12-16 09:54:00 | Last Updated: 2014-12-16 09:54:00

2014 AHSAA Final Super 7

By WLDX

The following are the final Alabama High School Football Champions of 2014!

The Fayette County High School Veteran's Day program will be held Thursday, November 6th at 6pm in the FCHS Gym. All veterans are invited to the library at 5pm for a reception prior to the program. This year's guest speaker will be Mr. Cecil Batchelor who served in the United Sates Navy during World War II.

Posted: 2014-11-04 08:34:00 | Last Updated: 2014-11-04 08:34:00

By

Posted: 2014-09-17 10:01:00 | Last Updated: 2014-09-30 04:51:00

FCHS Classes of 1960-1969!

By WLDX

Fayette County High School Classes of 1960-1969, Decade of the 60's Class Reunion Time is here! September 27th from 4 til 11pm at the Fayette Courthouse! In case of rain, Fayette Middle School Gym. Bring your lawn chairs and dress comfy!

Posted: 2014-09-01 09:14:00 | Last Updated: 2014-09-01 09:14:00

Get Hooked On Fishing!!!!

By WLDX

Get Hooked on Fishing! It's time for the Kiwanis Fishing Rodeo at the pond in front of the airport, Saturday, August 9th from 7 a.m. - 10 a.m. A day of fishing and fun for children 12 years old and under. In order to take part in this event, you must register at City Hall prior to the event. All children must be accompanied by an adult. This event is for children only, however adults are welcome to fish after 10am. This event is sponsored by the Kiwanis Club, West Alabama Crappie Association and Walmart!

Posted: 2014-07-02 09:08:00 | Last Updated: 2014-08-04 06:22:00

Do You Have News?

By WLDX

Do you have news that's newsworthy? Let us know! 932-WLDX

Posted: 2014-06-23 08:51:00 | Last Updated: 2014-06-23 08:51:00

Career Fair!

By WLDX

There will be a Career Fair, sponsored by Unity Grove Missionary Baptist Church, on Saturday, June 28 at Bevill St. Community College in the Earl McDonald Auditorium, from 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. There will be Guidance Counselors, Financial Advisors, College Representatives, Professionals and much more. For more information, contact Marilyn Dumpson at 205-227-8895.

Posted: 2014-06-23 08:50:00 | Last Updated: 2014-06-23 08:50:00

VFW Post 5406

By WLDX

The Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 5406 invites all persons who have served in the military to attend the breakfast that will be held on the last Saturday of each month at 7:30 am. It will be held at the V.F.W. Post in Fayette located next to Guthrie Smith Park. Come join fellow Patriots.

Posted: 2014-06-20 07:40:00 | Last Updated: 2014-06-20 07:40:00

Fayette County Primary Election Results

By WLDX

Unofficial election results for Fayette County races of interest:

Democrat:

County Commission District 1

Mike Ellison - 190

Charlie Dale Jones - 201

County Commission District 3

Barry Corkren - 307

Nicky Whitehead - 172

Sheriff

Tierre Agnew - 1090

Rodney Ingle - 1075

Republican:

State Representative District 16

Bobby Humphryes - 504

Kyle South - 2101

Sheriff

Jeremy Lay - 1591

Bill McCollum - 841

Superintendent of Education

Jim Burkhalter - 1437

Vic Herren - 1244

Unofficial election results for Fayette County races of interest:

Democrat:

County Commission District 1

Mike Ellison - 190

Charlie Dale Jones - 201

County Commission District 3

Barry Corkren - 307

Nicky Whitehead - 172

Sheriff

Tierre Agnew - 1090

Rodney Ingle - 1075

Republican:

State Representative District 16

Bobby Humphryes - 504

Kyle South - 2101

Sheriff

Jeremy Lay - 1591

Bill McCollum - 841

Superintendent of Education

Jim Burkhalter - 1437

Vic Herren - 1244

Posted: 2014-06-03 22:25:00 | Last Updated: 2014-06-03 20:29:00

Ox Bodies - Job Fair!

By WLDX

Ox Bodies in Fayette will be having a job fair on Saturday, June 14th from 8am-12noon. Stop by during this time and place an application. They will also be giving tests for welders.

Posted: 2014-05-29 08:04:00 | Last Updated: 2014-05-29 08:04:00

Vote in the June 3rd Primaries!

By WLDX

June 3rd is the voting for the Primaries! If you sit at home and do nothing then you are to blame for the state of our country! Don't just do nothing! VOTE!

Posted: 2014-05-19 10:17:00 | Last Updated: 2014-05-19 10:17:00

Headstart Applications Being Accepted

By WLDX

Headstart, a division of Community Service Prgrams of West Alabama, will be recuriting low-income and special needs children ages six weeks to two years of age for Early Head Start, and three and four years old for Head Start. Applications are being accepted for the 2014-2015 school term in Bibb, Fayette, Lamar, Hale, Greene, and Tuscaloosa counties. Applications for enrollment are being accepted regardless of the child's race, creed, sex, color, national origin or disability. For more information, please contact Sontonia Stephens at 205-469-0384 or sstephens@cspwal.com

Posted: 2014-05-09 08:59:00 | Last Updated: 2014-05-09 08:59:00

Fayette Farmers Market Now Under Way!

By WLDX

The Fayette Farmer’s Market located at the Fayette County Extension Office in the Fayette Multi-Purpose Complex is open on Saturday during the month of May. Beginning in June, the market will be open on Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday. The market opens at 6:00 a.m. and will remain open until farmers sell out of produce. Fresh, locally grown produce is available the Farmer’s Market. The produce available at the Fayette Farmer’s Market is harvested fresh locally and is not purchased from other locations for resale. Buyers should shop early for the best selection.

Posted: 2014-05-09 08:57:00 | Last Updated: 2014-05-09 08:57:00

By WLDX

Posted: 2014-04-22 08:41:00 | Last Updated: 2014-04-22 06:51:00

An Interview With Dexter Roberts

By WLDX

Is Dexter Roberts the next reality TV phenom?

The latest American Idol castoff told reporters on Thursday that -- after a few days of well-deserved rest and relaxation -- he hopes to one day have his own hunting show.

"That's my dream," he mused. "[My] big dream."

Alas, the Fayette, Alabama native wouldn't be on the hunt for criminals or fellow Idol contestants, he'd be channeling his inner Duck Dynasty, tracking ducks, turkeys and whitetails instead.

"I told my mom if I get kicked off [Idol] sometime, I'm going to get a teepee and go into the woods and just live in the woods for a few days," Roberts said, "just to get away from the city. I'm all about staying in the woods, outdoors and stuff."

Next up for Roberts is Idol's summer tour, which he'll prep for as he pursues a singing and songwriting career in Nashville. Asked when he'd be getting in contact with Florida Georgia Line (the duo reached out and offered their congratulations to the country singer when he covered their hit "Cruise" in the Top 10), Roberts laughed. "Probably right after this interview, when I get my phone charged!"

Let's not forget about that Keith Urban country connection, which could certainly prove useful if Roberts plays his cards right. During his time on the show, the 22-year-old said that Urban's best words of wisdom were "to go out there and have fun; just connect with the audience more. That's what I'm gonna try and do on tour."

Meanwhile, back at Idol, Roberts is counting on fellow prankster Sam Woolf to keep the behind-the-scenes antics going strong. That is, until that tour kicks off on June 24.

"I didn't get to do one last [prank], but on the tour he is getting it," Roberts teased.

"Hey, Sam, you might want to watch your back."***This interview was taken from www.hollywoodreporter.com

Posted: 2014-04-22 08:19:00 | Last Updated: 2014-04-22 08:19:00

By WLDX

Posted: 2014-03-04 23:20:00 | Last Updated: 2014-03-14 09:06:00

Dr. Suess Week at Hubbertville This Week!

By WLDX

In celebration of the 17th annual Read Across America Day, Hubbertville is proclaiming this week, Dr. Suess week. Each day will be a different Dr. Suess book themed dressup day.

The author of the famous Dr. Suess book series would have turned 110 on March 2.

Posted: 2014-03-04 11:19:00 | Last Updated: 2014-03-04 10:34:00

Congratulations to Hubberville and Fayette Torch Winners!

By WLDX

Hubbertville

Kristen Hubbert placed 1st in Pre-Cal

Gabe Stidham placed 1st in Geometry

Daryl Boggan place 2nd in Vocabulary/Reading

Fayette

Ben Beavers placed 1st in Public Speaking

Eric Willingham placed 1st in Dramatic Monologue

Roy Shackleford placed 3rd in Instrumental Solo Competition-Brass

Karla Simmons placed 1st in Instrumental Solo Competition-Woodwind

Sarah Brooks placed 3rd in Child Developement

Gene Fulmer placed 2nd in Business

Haley Kimbrell placed 2nd in Business Office Management

Hunter Vogele placed 1st in Computer Science

Andrew Baumgartner placed 2nd in Welding

Shep Davis placed 3rd in Welding

Congratulations to all our students who participated in Torch Friday!

Don't forget about the Regional Technology Fair at Bevill State on March 7th!

Posted: 2014-03-04 10:19:00 | Last Updated: 2014-03-05 09:13:00

Fayette's Own Dexter Roberts Doing Us All Proud

By WLDX

FAYETTE'S OWN DEXTER ROBERTS REPRESENTING HIS HOMETOWN AND MAKING US ALL SO PROUD OF HIS GREAT TALENT! CONGRATULATIONS FROM WLDX AM 990 FOR MAKING IT TO THE TOP SEVEN IN AMERICAN IDOL! CONGRATULATIONS TO DEXTER FOR AN INCREDIBLE RUN ON AMERICAN IDOL! WE LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING DEXTER ON TOUR THIS SUMMER!

Posted: 2014-02-21 11:05:00 | Last Updated: 2014-04-21 04:34:00

By WLDX

Posted: 2014-02-20 10:19:00 | Last Updated: 2014-02-24 08:18:00

American Idol Journey Continues For Fayette's Dexter Roberts

By WLDX

Dexter Roberts of Fayette has made it into the top 30 of American Idol and will perform live on Wednesday, February 19. A community-wide viewing party will be held at Bevill St. Community College in the Earl McDonald Auditorium. Doors open at 6 p.m. Admission is free. Team Dexter T-shirts will be available for purchase for $15. WLDX is proud to support Dexter Roberts!

Posted: 2014-02-14 10:56:00 | Last Updated: 2014-02-18 15:07:00

Local Athlete Honored By Fox6 News

By WLDX

Nathan Young of Hubbertville was recently named the Fox6 1A Defensive Player of the Year. Young, a Junior at Hubbertville, has played football since the seventh grade. During the 2013 season, he had 133 tackles. He is the son of Sandra Young. Young was honored at the Fox 6 Sideline All-Star Banquet. This award ceremony was broadcasted on Fox 6 at 5:30 p.m. on February, 8, 2014.

Posted: 2014-02-10 10:48:00 | Last Updated: 2014-02-11 07:56:00

Softball and Baseball Schedule

By WLDX

Softball and Baseball season is here! We have the schedule for our county schools, Hubberville and Berry softball and baseball, and Fayette softball.

Hubbertville Softball

March 21 @ Phillips; 4:30-1 game

April 1 @ Holy Spirit; 4:30-2 games

Hubbertville Baseball

April 1 @ Marion County; 4:30

April 2 @ Bevill State Comm College against Brilliant; 3:30

Berry Softball

April 1 @ South Lamar; 4:30-Varsity, Junior Varsity

April 3 @ home against Pickens Co; 4:30-Varsity

Berry Baseball

March 21 @ Aliceville; 4:30-Varsity

March 22 @ home-NAC Tournament;12:00-Varsity

Fayette Softball

March 21 @ home against Hamilton; 5:00-Varsity, Junior Varsity

March 31@ home against Carbon Hill; 5:00-Varsity

Posted: 2014-02-06 09:42:00 | Last Updated: 2014-03-21 07:27:00

By WLDX

Posted: 2014-02-06 09:38:00 | Last Updated: 2014-02-06 08:41:00

By WLDX

Posted: 2014-01-05 14:04:00 | Last Updated: 2014-02-05 07:07:00

By WLDX

Posted: 2013-12-27 12:47:00 | Last Updated: 2014-02-05 07:07:00

By WLDX

Posted: 2013-11-18 07:54:00 | Last Updated: 2014-02-05 07:08:00

By WLDX

Posted: 2013-09-25 11:36:00 | Last Updated: 2013-10-08 08:24:00

By WLDX

Posted: 2013-08-22 00:16:00 | Last Updated: 2013-08-21 22:18:00

By WLDX

Posted: 2013-08-22 00:11:00 | Last Updated: 2013-08-22 15:22:00

By WLDX

Posted: 2013-08-22 00:07:00 | Last Updated: 2013-08-21 22:14:00

Fayette Aquatic Center Opens June 1

By WLDX

The Grand Opening of the Fayette Aquatic Center will be Saturday, June 1. Ribbon cutting ceremonies will begin at 9 a.m., with the park opening at 10 a.m. WLDX will be broadcasting live from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. Come out and enjoy the fun at the opening of the Fayette Aquatic Center, located in Guthrie Smith Park in Fayette!

Posted: 2013-05-24 15:54:00 | Last Updated: 2013-05-28 12:25:00

ADVERTISE ON WLDX.COM

By WLDX

ADVERTISE ON WLDX.COM! GET YOUR MESSAGE SEEN AND HEARD BY THOUSANDS. MAYBE YOU ARE A CHURCH LOOKING TO REACH LISTENERS WITH YOUR MINISTRY OR MAYBE YOU HAVE A BUSINESS THAT IS STRUGGLING TO GET CUSTOMERS TO YOUR DOOR. WLDX.COM REACHES THOUSANDS AT ANY GIVEN MOMENT AND THERE SO MANY CHOICES TO CHOOSE FROM...SPONSOR SWITCH AND SWAP, BIRTHDAYS TO EVEN HAVE A BANNER AD ON THE WLDX HOME PAGE. PRICES START AT $50 FOR A BUSINESS CARD SIZE AD AMD WLDX WILL EVEN HELP YOU WITH YOUR ARTWORK FOR YOUR AD. GIVE US A CALL TODAY AT 270-8942

Posted: 2013-05-08 07:56:00 | Last Updated: 2013-05-08 07:56:00

Lance Tucker Staying As FCHS Football Coach

By WLDX

Lance Tucker, who last week announced that he had accepted the job as Head Football Coach at Winfield City High School, announced this morning that he has had a change of heart and will be staying at Fayette County High School.

In a phone interview with al.com, Tucker said, "You always try to make the best decision possible, and I just got up yesterday morning and realized I had made a mistake. I make mistakes all the time, but this one the magnitude is a lot more. I apologize for that and have to ask for forgiveness. I made a mistake, and sometimes you have to be a man and say, 'I messed up. I'm sorry.'"

Fayette County High School Principal Jeremy Madden says Tucker never formally submitted a letter of resignation, so the search for a new coach had not officially started.

Posted: 2013-04-19 10:39:00 | Last Updated: 2013-04-19 10:39:00

By WLDX

Posted: 2013-04-11 09:54:00 | Last Updated: 2013-04-13 05:06:00

HAPPY BIRTHDAY WISHES ON YOUR HOMETOWN RADIO STATION!

By WLDX

Is Fayette your Hometown? Would you like to add a birthday to the WLDX Birthday Club? It's so easy, register on wldx.com and add the birthday's yourself to the WLDX birthday calendar. Your birthday wish will be heard all over Fayette and over the world to anyone listening to streaming on wldx.com! If you don't have access to a computer, just stick the birthday announcements in the mail to WLDX PO BOX 189 FAYETTE, AL 35555. WLDX would like to give a big shout out to the sponsors of The Birthday Club... Bevil State's Fantasy Island Grill and Charles Cafeteria. Each day Monday thru Friday, one lucky winner will receive a gift certificate to enjoy a meal at one of these favorite Fayette Restaurants. If you are the lucky winner, stop by WLDX to pick up your gift certificate compliments of Charles Cafeteria and Bevil's Fantasy Island Grill! So stay tuned, hear your birthday announced LIVE on the air during Morning Call each day between 7am & 7:30am and then be listening for the Birthday Club announcements each morning before 10am!

Posted: 2013-03-20 09:08:00 | Last Updated: 2013-03-20 09:08:00

FIRE ENGULFS HOUSE ON TEMPLE AVE

By WLDX

FIRE ENGULFS HOUSE ON TEMPLE AVE OF FAYETTE, NEXT DOOR TO THE ASSEMBLY OF GOD CHURCH THURSDAY EVENING FEBRUARY 21ST. SOURCES AT SCENE CALLED THE HOUSE THE OLD CRUTCHER PLACE AND STATED THE HOME WAS VACANT AT THE TIME OF FIRE.

Posted: 2013-02-21 19:01:00 | Last Updated: 2013-02-21 19:01:00

WLDX AM 990 LOVES OUR LISTENERS!

By WLDX

WLDX AM 990 LOVES OUR LISTENERS! YOUR HOME TOWN RADIO STATION WOULD LOVE FOR YOU TO TELL A FRIEND THEY CAN LISTEN LIVE ANYWHERE IN THE WORLD ON WLDX.COM!!

Posted: 2013-02-11 11:24:00 | Last Updated: 2013-02-25 09:42:00

By WLDX

Posted: 2013-01-29 20:49:00 | Last Updated: 2013-01-31 05:43:00

By WLDX

Posted: 2013-01-14 21:04:00 | Last Updated: 2013-01-19 21:08:00

THE COASTERS ARE COMING TO FAYETTE!

By WLDX

The coasters are a doo wop band from Los Angeles, California that was formed in 1956. They were one of few artists in rock history that performed music that was a combination of r&b and comedy. With their teenage looks and on-stage antics they found fame with hits like Yakety Yak, Charlie Brown, and Poison Ivy.

DONT MISS YOUR CHANCE to see the legendary Coasters live at the Fayette Civic Center on Feb. 2 at 7PM. Tickets can be purchased for 25.00 a ticket at the Civic Center or at www.thecoasters.eventbrite.com .

Posted: 2013-01-11 15:02:00 | Last Updated: 2013-01-31 05:44:00

CONGRATULATIONS NONNA WRIGHT THE WLDX $500 CHRISTMAS BUCKS WINNER!

By WLDX

TONS OF FAMILY FUN AND SHOPPING DURING THE WLDX $500 CHRISTMAS BUCKS GIVEWAY! WLDX CONGRATULATES ALL OF THE WINNERS AND THANK YOU TO ALL THE MERCHANT SPONSORS OF THE WLDX $500 CHRISTMAS BUCKS SPONSORS! WLDX WISHES EVERYONE A VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS!

JOIN THE FUN! It's so easy, just click on the Santa's Trail Map on WLDX's homepage, print it off and visit each participating sponsor. WLDX asks everyone to enjoy Christmas shopping and dining locally with the participating sponsors of the $500 Christmas Bucks Giveaway. Once you print off your Map, visit all the WLDX local sponsors, enjoy shopping & dining at the particapating sponsors...and while your shopping register for an opportunity to win a door prize from each sponsor and have your Santa's Trail Map stamped. Once your Map is completely stamped bring the Map to WLDX by NOON THURSDAY DECEMBER 20TH and the winner will be announced on Morning Call FRIDAY DECEMBER 21ST. WLDX will be broadcasting live visiting each sponsor Thursday December 20th, so stay Tuned to WLDX AM990. The WLDX's $500 CHRISTMAS BUCKS Grand Prize Package to include these Title Sponsors: THE FAYETTE FARMER'S CO-OP ($100 gift Certificate) and KFC/TACO BELL ($50 Gift Certificate). SO WE REMIND YOU TO SHOP LOCALLY AND TO SHOP FAYETTE FIRST!

FAYETTE TIGER FANS! ARE YOU NEEDING A RIDE TO THE STATE CHAMPIONSHIP GAME? LET'S FILL THE STADIUM WITH FAYETTE TIGER FANS! GO TIGERS!

If you would like to attend the Thursday Dec 6th Fayette County vs Madison Academy State Championship game, and would like to ride a fan bus....there are two options: A fan bus to Auburn leaving at 3:00am thursday morning, cost is $25 on the Adventure Bus line, for seating call 205-270-1327 money due by 10am Wednesday. Also, Elvira McCrary is coordinating a fan bus if you would like information call 748-2262.

Posted: 2012-12-03 11:56:00 | Last Updated: 2012-12-03 11:56:00

Fayette Tigers Headed To State 3A Championship Game

By WLDX

With a 35-14 win over Straughn Friday night, the Fayette Tigers are headed to Jordan-Hare Stadium in Auburn next Thursday to face Madison Academy for the 3A State Championship. Kickoff is set for 11 a.m. Thursday, and you can listen to the game on WLDX and WLDX.com. Congratulations to Coach Lance Tucker and the Fayette Tigers!

Posted: 2012-11-30 22:39:00 | Last Updated: 2012-11-30 22:39:00

NEED HELP GETTING INTO THE CHRISTMAS SPIRIT?

By WLDX

If you're feeling a little like Scrooge or "BAH HUM BUG", there's an easy cure! Attend Dogwood Productions presentation of "The Gospel According To Scrooge" and you and your family will catch the Christmas Spirt! If you've never attended this play, get ready to be uplifted or maybe you're like many who start their Christmas season each year by attending this specatular musical! Choose from 4 performances: Friday Dec 7 at 7:00pm or Saturday Dec 8 at 2:00pm & 7:00pm or Sunday Dec 9 for the afternoon Matinee at 2:00pm. You can purchase your tickets ($12 each) at The Fayette Civic Center or at Bynum GMC.

Posted: 2012-11-26 12:05:00 | Last Updated: 2012-11-26 12:05:00

ALDOT Urges Motorists to Drive Safely This Holiday

By WLDX

Limited Road Construction and Lane Closures Thanksgiving Weekend

MONTGOMERY – Highway travel during the 2012 Thanksgiving holiday is expected to be heavy in Alabama during the three-day holiday weekend and as the college football season continues. The Alabama Department of Transportation urges motorists to drive safely in their travels.

As an added precaution during the heavily traveled holiday, ALDOT announced today there would be no temporary lane closures on Alabama interstates after 12 noon, Wednesday, Nov. 21, through midnight, Sunday, Nov. 25.

For the safety of the traveling public, construction industry workers and maintenance crews, roadwork will be limited during this busy holiday period. Throughout the year, ALDOT limits road construction during major holiday weekends. However, emergency lane closures may be possible dependant on specific circumstances on interstates and other state roadways.

ALDOT's mission is to provide a safe, efficient, environmentally and economically sound transportation network across Alabama. For further information, visit www.dot.state.al.us.

Posted: 2012-11-19 12:15:00 | Last Updated: 2012-11-19 12:15:00

WLDX’S 7TH ANNUAL COMMUNITY WIDE CHRISTMAS IN THE SOUTH OPENHOUSE! WINNERS

By WLDX

WE HERE AT WLDX WOULD LIKE TO GIVE A WORD OF THANKS TO ALL THE MERCHANTS THAT PARTICIPATED IN THE CHRISTMAS IN THE SOUTH OPEN HOUSE. WE ASK EVERYONE TO REMEMBER TO SHOP FAYETTE FIRST THIS HOLIDAY SEASON. BELOW YOU WILL FIND THE WINNERS OF THIS YEARS CHRISTMAS IN THE SOUTH OPEN HOUSE!

For those who live, along with them live the horrific memories of battle

Some, memories of defeat

Some, memories of victory

Our veterans were more than soldiers

They were, and still are heroes

Because of You, Unknown Soldier

By Courtney Tanabe

Because of you, I am here

Because of you, I am able to live freely

Yet I do not know you

And I have not done anything for you

But there you stand, ready to fight

And there you are prepared to die

For me

You've fought before

And you'll fight again

For someone you don't know

So thank you Unknown Soldier

Fighting for me

I'm here because of you

And I owe my future to you

Veterans Day

By Taylor Weinman

Representing the red white and blue

The colors of our flag stand out proud and true.

The white stars on blue background with red and white stripes

Remind me of these veterans, who all risked their lives.

Just so the people of the U.S. could all live in peace and be free

These are the heroes that represent you and me.

They stood up strongly, untied as one,

And kept up the fighting until they were done.

And although some have fallen, and lost their lives in war,

We pray for each one of them.

And now that their souls live on forever more,

Above in God's hands.

They watch over our nation,

And give us strength to triumph over others with strong anticipation.

So every year, when this day comes by,

Think of all the veterans that while fighting, had to die.

And remember that they were people

With fire and passion embedded inside.

They die for this country,

So remember and honor them with pride

The Bravest Man I Know

by Amanda Whitney

The bravest man I know.

Is a man I've never met.

He's a man who risks his life

To save a friend,

Not only to save a friend,

But to save a nation.

Risking his life

For those he does not know.

Stepping up

Leaving loved ones behind,

So that somewhere,

Someone else won't have to.

He is a man who follows orders

Even though he knows he might die.

The bravest man I know.

Is the man who would rather die,

So one more person could go home

To see his family again.

The man who stares death in the face,

But never blinks.

The bravest man I know.

Is the man who risks his life

So one day the world may be a better place for his children.

Or any man who goes against his biggest fear.

DEATH

Just to save someone he loves.

The bravest man I know.

Is the man who fights

So another man can have the taste of sweet freedom.

Not fighting only for his own benefit,

But for many others all over the world,

Fighting to make this world a better place.

That's the bravest man I know.

Sometimes the World Seems

by Larissa Myschuk

Sometimes the world seems like it's

Upside-down

Inside out

Torn down the middle

In need of arrangement

Desperate for guidance

Wanting direction

Lacking leadership

Losing patience

Turning and flipping

Backwards and sideways

Speeding endlessly forward

On a path of self-destruction

And the only thing to stop it,

The only thing to calm it,

Is the lives of the men that

Fight passionately

Fall readily and

Die willingly.

Remember

by Brittany Vigoreaux

American soldiers sacrifice so much,

All for the freedom of our country.

Leaving their families and heading off to war,

Not knowing what the future holds.

Working day and night

Determined to stay strong.

Watching friends be killed every day

Letters from home inspiring them to keep fighting

So little is given to them

Although there is little to do,

For those who have died in war

We can still remember

Remember all the men who have died.

Remember all the battles fought

Remember all the tears families cried

Remember it was freedom the soldiers brought

To this very day soldiers are under-appreciated

Veterans Day is the day

For the dead, living, and fighting soldiers

To be remembered

Freedom is not Free

by Ashley Persyn

There is a price we pay for freedom

For it is not truly free

But rather paid for by the contributions of veterans

To buy our liberty

As their blood drains from their body and runs like a river through the grass

Over the years it's forgotten, war is placed in our past

I don't think we all realize the importance veterans play

as they voluntarily serve America each and every day

We should honor the veterans for they act like a shield

Protecting us from danger, keeping America healed.

So if you would take a second to commemorate

You will instantly see

We owe veterans our gratitude

For they are the reason we are free

Veterans

by Brittany Skinner

They were there,

And they remember,

The shock, the horror

Of watching strangers die.

A life ended

By a fellow soldier's shaking hands.

The unimaginable debt,

Owed by a free world

Can never be repaid,

Still we try

Giving up an hour, a day

To thank you for the burden you now carry

Laid there so we can live our lives.

They fought,

And killed

Enemies with faces

Identities unknown to the bullets

Shattering the protective shield

Laid there by those they loved.

For one day a year we honor you

For our lives,

It can never compare

Still we try

Thanking you on this day

For a million moments

You lived so we could too.

Heroes Die for Me

by Jamie Burns

I am the flag

I look down upon this land called America .

I have been here since this great nation was formed,

I have seen each battle fought

I have seen the heroes die for me, for my country

Thank you all those of you

Who have kept me flying in the breeze

Keeping this country united as one.

Thank you those of you who have sacrificed your lives,

Giving up all that I may still fly,

Watching over the citizens of this nation.

Thank you all those of you who have ever fought,

I am ever grateful for you.

You risked everything; you faced death each day,

Faced fear, faced many terrible things.

And because of you, my thank you's ring out,

Filling the sky, echoing from the hills

They find their way to the graveyards,

And to all of you still living,

You are a special kind of person.

To anyone who has ever served this country,

And to those serving today

Thank you.

As I watch life from atop my flagpole,

As I think of all you've done,

My feelings become too powerful for words

And all I can say is thank you.

Posted: 2012-11-12 07:19:00 | Last Updated: 2012-11-12 06:47:00

The Unofficial Results of Fayette County Presidential Election 2012

By WLDX

28 out of 28 Boxes

For President-

Mitt Romney: 6034

Barack Obama: 1803

US State Representative 4th Congressional District-

Robert Aderholt: 5497

Daniel H. Bowman: 2227

For Chief Justice of the Supreme Court-

Roy Moore: 5229

Bob Vance: 2566

For Circuit Clerk, Fayette County-

Samantha W. Howard: 5320

Jase Sayre: 2365

For Fayette County Judge of Probate-

William Oswalt: 4729

Stephen Gene Fulmer: 3158

For Member, Fayette County Commission, District No. 2-

Rick Cargile: 688

Buddy E. Norris: 602

For Member, Fayette County Commission, District No. 4-

James Knight: 721

Virgil Kilgore: 537

For Member, Fayette County Commission, District No. 1-

Walden Tucker: 764

Belinda Langley Watts: 684

Posted: 2012-11-06 20:59:00 | Last Updated: 2012-11-06 20:06:00

The Fayette City Leaf Truck Is Now Running!

By WLDX

The Fayette City Leaf Truck has started leaf pickup for city residents. Please have your leaves racked and piled to the curbside for pickup. Leaves must be on city right of way to be picked up. Leaves left piled up on private property will not be picked up. The city is happy to provide this service for our citizens and we appreciate your cooperation in this matter.

Posted: 2012-10-30 09:00:00 | Last Updated: 2012-10-30 09:00:00

Mrs. Annie Mae Cochran Turning 103!

By WLDX

Mrs. Annie Mae Cochran will Celebrate her 103rd birthday Monday, October 29th. Family and friends can feel free to stop by the Fayette County Long Term Care Facility room 611 to wish her a Happy Birthday!

Posted: 2012-10-28 18:30:00 | Last Updated: 2012-10-28 16:42:00

Top 4 Scary Internet Threats Everyone Must Know

By WLDX

Amid a season of Halloween horrors, the scariest thing most of us will contend with are the litany of Internet threats that can readily crash our computer system and wreak havoc on our personal and business lives.

To help folks compute with confidence this season, Nick Nascimento, Chief "Geek" at AGeek2Go—a senior-level IT service and support company—offers this hit list of "scareware"—the 4 creepiest threats Internet surfers should be aware of right now:

1. The FBI MoneyPak Trojan. This is in a class called "ransomware." which are Trojans or Virus’ that force you to PAY for them to "remove it " and of course after you pay they never do, If while surfing the Internet your computer screen is filled with a FBI warning page that claims you have to pay the $100 fine, you’re infected! Most of the time, ransomware locks up the user’s desktop, disables task manager and other system utilities to avoid the termination of the process by the user as well. However, FBI MoneyPak ransomware takes it to the entirely new level by adding a little video recording square in the top right corner of the fake FBI warning page. It supposed to be your built-in web camera. Curiously, this little square shows up even if your laptop doesn’t have a built-in camera.

FBI MoneyPak is a very convincing looking scam. It has the official FBI logo at the top and lists victim’s IP address, location, and the name of their ISP. The fake warning claims that your PC has been locked by FBI because you downloaded or distributed copyrighted material or viewed child pornography. Creepy, isn’t it? And, it asserts that if you don’t pay the fine you will go to jail. Simply visiting an infected web site is enough to trigger this exploit kit which will download a malicious DLL file onto your computer. This is an Advanced level Bug to deal with so if you are not familiar with more advanced parts of your computers operating system such as editing the registry etc. it’s advisable to consult a professional Removal Specialist.

2) Malicious ‘eventvwr’ SCAM from Offshore Call Centers. This second troublemaker doesn’t START with your computer but it very well ends there.This scam can be especially dangerous for unsuspecting, less computer-savvy target victims. The scam goes like this:You get a call from a guy with a generic name such as "Adam Smith" who explains to you that he’s a registered Microsoft technician and received a call alerting him that your IP address is the source for serious attacks on their servers due to multiple computer virus infections on your end. If you ask for any information on the source or target IP addresses involved, the person will attempt to deflect the question, and inform you that he/she is unauthorized to provide you that information!

They will proceed to try convincing you that your computer is full of viruses (based on some standard status and error messages automatically generated by your computer), and they try to get you to grant them complete access to your entire computer, including passwords, credit cards, and other sensitive information, via the free "Ammyy Admin" remote desktop control software. If you don’t agree to buy their useless, thieving "support services", they’ll use the computer access you openly granted them to damage your computer and randomly delete files.

3) Fake Virus Alerts / Scareware. One of the most virulent is known as "MSREMOVAL TOOL". It is just ONE of the Fake Virus removal programs that install themselves onto your PC and request Money to make them work. THEY WILL NOT WORK AND IF YOU PAY THEM THEY WILL NOW HAVE YOUR CREDIT CARD INFORMATION. Here are the two most common ways they are distributed:

(a) Via Infected IMAGES you may view Via Search engines!(b) Via Pop – UNDERS (pop-ups that hide behind the page you are viewing.) When you see that FLASH be sure to LOOK QUICKLY. You just may see a very small window that is downloading the Malware CLOSE IT!! If it completes its task it will then launch that warning window. That is the other way they are delivering this malware.

4) FakeInst SMS Trojan and its variants. Now we turn to the most overlooked segment for attacks: mobile users. Mobile users are MUCH easier to attack, not just because of their cell phone vulnerabilities but the fact that people do not even THINK about their phones as the Small Computers they are.

"FakeInst disguises itself as popular apps like Instagram, Opera Browser, and Skype, and sends SMS messages to premium-rate numbers. There are more than a dozen variants of this bug and growing. There are well-known companies that produce security software for mobile phones and many of them have FREE versions that can and do help keep you safe from these types of attacks. Remember, by simply getting your apps from the OFFICIAL app sources, either your phone’s app store or the app developer’s own site, you can virtually eliminate this type of threat all together.

"Computer users need not despair," Nick notes. "Sometimes we do win the fight as was the case when a Federal court imposed a $163 million judgment on a woman who the FTC says helped run a scareware ring that tricked more than one million consumers across six countries into purchasing fake security software. But it’s imperative to be vigilant and ‘in the know’ as dangers definitely lurk."Nick Nascimento is Chief Executive Geek at aGeek2Go LLC Computer Repair, San Diego’s most trusted provider of IT Services & Support as well as computer repair for home and business users both on-site and remote. He may be reached online at www.ageek2go.com.

Gadsden, AL – A state flag is being proudly displayed over the skies of Afghanistan, and has even flown with an Army helicopter pilot on a combat mission earlier this week, after Sgt. Johnny Box of the Alabama National Guard contacted House Minority Leader Craig Ford (D-Gadsden) and requested a state flag for his unit.

“I am so thankful for our servicemen and women and the sacrifices they are making for us,” said Rep. Ford. “So when Sgt. Box asked me to send him a flag, I was humbled and honored; it seemed like the least I could do.”

Since the flag arrived in Afghanistan, the soldiers of E-Company, 1st platoon, 167 infantry of the 4th Alabama have flown it over their base in Kunduz, Afghanistan. Then earlier this week, an AH-64 Apache attack helicopter pilot, Maj. Christian “Gator” Hurst from Troy, Alabama, took the flag with him on a combat mission over Kunduz Province. Maj. Hurst had a certificate made and dedicated to Rep. Ford to commemorate the flag’s journey.

“It means a lot to these guy's to know someone at the state level cares about them,” said Sgt. Box in an email to Rep. Ford. “The Flag may not seem [like] much in some people's eyes, but here it's the world.”

Rep. Ford said it is common for his office to receive requests for state flags from schools or Alabama citizens serving in the military.

“Several months ago, my office was contacted by the family of Airman First Class Rex Harris from Huntsville who is currently serving near Kabul,” said Rep. Ford. “He wanted a flag to hang in his barracks, and I was proud to send him one.”

Rep. Ford said he was not certain which government agency or department was responsible for handling requests for state flags, but added that his office receives a number of flags every year and that he has always honored requests for state flags from Alabama citizens serving in the military.

“As a former soldier, I understand how your state flag can be a source of pride and a reminder of home, and that is why I always send a state flag to our men and women in uniform when they ask me for one,” said Rep. Ford.

Representative Craig Ford is a Democrat from Gadsden. He has served in the Alabama House of Representatives since 2000. In 2010, Representative Ford was elected House Minority Leader by the House Democratic Caucus. He was re-elected Minority Leader in 2012.

Posted: 2012-10-19 14:12:00 | Last Updated: 2012-10-22 08:41:00

UNITY BAPTIST CHURCH TO DEDICATE NEW BUILDING AND STORM SHELTER

By WLDX

FAYETTE, ALABAMA – Pastor Phillip Clark and the members of Unity Baptist Church in Fayette, AL invite the community to celebrate with the church in dedicating its new Family Ministry Center. The church will celebrate the opening of the new building on Sunday, October 21, 2012 at 11:00 a.m. in a special service of worship, preaching, giving, and rejoicing. A covered dish luncheon will immediately follow the service. The event is free and open to the public. For more information, visit www.unitybcfayette.org, email unityfayette@gmail.com, or call 205-932-4773.

The 7,500 square foot Family Ministry Center features a full basketball court, volleyball court, four classrooms, and space for an industrial kitchen. Additionally, after the tornadoes that ravaged our state and community on April 27, 2011 the leaders of Unity made provision for the building to feature a 500 square foot safe shelter that can accommodate up to 100 people from the surrounding community in the event of tornado warnings or other dangerous conditions.

The workmanship that went into constructing the facility was contracted through local businesses including Northwest Bama Builders, Mark McDonald, Lawrence Farm & Lumber Center, Rebasco Decorators, Inc., People's Sod Farm and Excavation, Roberts Concrete, Fayette Drain and Sewer, and Estes Electrical Contractors. The members of Unity are pleased to have been given the opportunity to support the local economy by providing work for these local contractors.

Unity Baptist Church members plan to use the Family Ministry Center to further its mission of showing Love for God and love for others (Mark 12:28-34, Deut. 6:5), to actively Serve the community (Matt. 20:28, Gal. 5:13), and act in obedience to the Great Commission to make disciples as we Go (Matt. 28:18-20). Future uses of the building includes, Thanksgiving meal distribution, charitable yard sales, annual Crappie Fishing Tournament banquet, annual “Son” Shine Women's Conference, community block parties, youth basketball clubs, Vacation Bible School, and other community events.

Posted: 2012-10-17 10:30:00 | Last Updated: 2012-10-17 10:30:00

FCHS vs Greene County Game Moved To Fayette

By WLDX

The Fayette County vs Greene County game on Friday, October 5, scheduled to be played at Greene County, will now be played at John Morgan Brown Stadium in Fayette. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m.

Posted: 2012-10-02 15:21:00 | Last Updated: 2012-10-02 15:21:00

Fayette Middle School Homecoming Game Postponed

By WLDX

Due to extremely wet playing conditions, the Fayette Middle School Homecoming game, scheduled for Tuesday, October 2 at 6 p.m., has been postponed. The game will now be played on Thursday, October 4 at 6 p.m. at John Morgan Brown Stadium. The game will be played against South Lamar.

Posted: 2012-10-01 16:05:00 | Last Updated: 2012-10-02 13:23:00

Alabama Frog Level Festival & Cruise In

By WLDX

The Alabama Frog Level Festival & Cruise In will be held October 5th and 6th in Downtown Fayette.

Events will begin On Friday, Oct. 5, with a Fish & Shrimp Fry at 5 pm and a free concert by The Alabama Blues Brothers will be presented on the courthouse lawn at 7 pm. Saturday's events will begin at 7:30 am with the Frog Level 5K run, registration at 7:30 am with the run at 8 am. The Cruise in will run from 8 am until 2 pm with beautiful antique cars, trucks, and tractors. The Festival will begin at 9 am with music all day long! C+ will perform from 11:30 am until 1:30 pm, a Limbo contest at 1 pm, Frog jumping contest at 2 pm, Gospel music by various artists from 2 pm until 4 pm, and the bed race at 3 pm. The Festival wraps up at the Fayette Civic Center at 7 pm with a Percy Sledge Concert. Tickets for the concert are $25 and can be purchased at the Fayette Civic Center or online atfayetteareachamber.org. T-shirts are available at the Turner Agency for $15.

Posted: 2012-09-28 19:41:00 | Last Updated: 2012-10-05 11:07:00

Fayette VA Mobile Health Clinic Giving Free Flu Shots!

By WLDX

The VA Mobile Medical Clinic will be administering free flu shots to all veterans each Thursday, from 9 am until 3 pm. The mobile clinic is set up every Thursday in the parking lot next to the Fayette Civic Center. For more information about the shots or the mobile clinic services call toll free, 1-888-269-3045, Ext. 1-4683 or 205-554-2000, Ext. 1-4683. This will continue thru the Flu season. We encourage all Veteran's participation with the Mobile Clinic. When the VA gets enough Vets signed up, they will open a free standing clinic in Fayette five days a week....That means jobs for Fayette.

Posted: 2012-09-24 12:10:00 | Last Updated: 2012-10-08 12:31:00

Fayette Tigers Defeat Sipsey Valley

By WLDX

The Fayette Tigers defeat Sipsey Valley 33-21. Next week the Fayette Tigers travel to Sulligent to take on the Sulligent Blue Devils.

Posted: 2012-09-21 21:11:00 | Last Updated: 2012-09-21 19:52:00

Fayette County Overwhelmingly Approves Amendment

By WLDX

Voters in Fayette County went to the polls on Tuesday and overwhelmingly approved a Constitutional Amendment that would allow over $400 million to be transferred from the State's Trust Fund to the General Fund. In Fayette County, 2,124 voters (71%) supported the amendment, while 875 (29%) voted against the measure. Statewide, the amendment was approved by a 2 to 1 margin.

The Fayette County Tigers defeated Greensboro 30-6 in their first home game Friday, Sept. 7th at John Morgan Brown Stadium.

Posted: 2012-09-07 22:08:00 | Last Updated: 2012-09-07 20:10:00

The 43rd Fayette Arts Festival to be held at Bevill

By WLDX

The The 43rd Fayette Arts Festival will be held at Bevill State Community College Gym on Saturday, Sept. 8 from 9 am until 4 pm. There is no charge for the festival, only a $2 parking fee per car to benefit local charities. Come out and enjoy the day

Posted: 2012-09-07 09:48:00 | Last Updated: 2012-09-07 07:53:00

Fayette Tigers Defeated

By WLDX

The Pickens County Tornadoes defeats the Fayette Tigers in Reform, Alabama 40-31 in the first game of the season.

Posted: 2012-08-31 22:39:00 | Last Updated: 2012-08-31 20:42:00

Apartment Fire at the Fayette Housing Authority

By WLDX

On Wednesday, August 29th at approximately 4:30 am a fire broke out at Apt 91 at the Fayette Housing Authority. Three adults and 3 young children were present at the apartment at the time. According to the Fayette Fire Department the children were transported to the Fayette County Hospital then to Children's Hospital in Birmingham, Alabama due to smoke inhalation. Rumors have spread of a meth lab explosion but according to the Fayette Fire Department that was not the case. The fire is currently under investigation.

Posted: 2012-08-29 14:48:00 | Last Updated: 2012-08-29 13:21:00

Fayette Municipal Election Results

By WLDX

Fayette Municipal Election

Unofficial Results

Mayor

Kevin Bass574

Ray Nelson (I)890

City Council Ward One

Barbara Bass 83

Linda McCraw (I)132

City Council Ward Two

Ron Hannah141

Mike Hardin (I)153

City Council Ward Three

Jason Cowart226

Ann Hamner (I)119

City Council Ward Four

Roger Agnew 70

Cedric Wilson (I)287

City Council Ward Five

David Brand146

Larry Hindman109

*Including Absentee Ballots, there were 1,476 total votes cast in the election.

Posted: 2012-08-28 20:30:00 | Last Updated: 2012-08-28 20:30:00

Berry Municipal Election Results

By WLDX

Berry Municipal Election

Unofficial Results

Mayor

Don Craft 38

Jimmy Madison330

Wanda Harbin Norris104

City Council District Three

Barbara Ledlow202

Clyde Pendley (I)260

City Council District Four

Raymond "Randy" Hendrix128

Troyce Ray Townsel (I)314

Posted: 2012-08-28 20:21:00 | Last Updated: 2012-08-28 20:21:00

Fayette Mayoral Candidates To Appear On Morning Call

By WLDX

The two candidates for Mayor of Fayette will be joining Chris Champion on Morning Call this week. Incumbent Mayor Ray Nelson will be in the studio with Chris on Thursday, August 23, and challenger Kevin Bass will be with Chris on Friday, August 24. The candidates will be on-air at approximately 7:15 a.m. Be sure to listen to hear what the candidates have to say. The Municipal Election will be Tuesday, August 28. All voters in the City of Fayette will cast their ballots at the Fayette Civic Center between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. on Election Day. WLDX will have live coverage of the election results after the polls close and the results are announced.

Posted: 2012-08-21 16:52:00 | Last Updated: 2012-08-21 16:52:00

By WLDX

Posted: 2012-08-21 16:52:00 | Last Updated: 2012-08-21 15:01:00

Football Jamboree Thursday

By WLDX

The FCHS Football Jamboree will be held Thursday, August 23 at John Morgan Brown Stadium. Lamar County will play Gordo at 6 pm, followed by Fayette and Winfield. Each team will play three quarters. Admission is $6; parking will be $5.

Posted: 2012-08-21 06:53:00 | Last Updated: 2012-08-21 06:53:00

Empowering Daughters to Say 'No'

By WLDX

(HealthNewsDigest.com) - Whenever I have a young girl in for therapy we begin to chat about what is important to her. Sex education usually comes up in the conversation and it is incredible. Sex education hasn't changed that much since I was a kid. Many schools still separate the students by gender and show a film. From there it sounds like they receive a lecture about how dangerous STD's are, and why you shouldn't have sex. Texas is in third place among all states for having the most teen pregnancies. Does anyone see what I see? The current sex education programs offered are not working.

Let's look at this carefully. First of all we know the studies suggest that teens who get STDs and pregnant are feeling lost and disconnected from their family and friends. They usually are not doing well in academics. Teens who delay sex until their late teens or beyond usually have two parent households and have more parent supervision. They are doing their homework and performing better in their classes. No girl under the age of eighteen benefits from having sex (most likely boys do not either). Girls approach relationships much differently then boys. They have different concepts of care taking, nurturing, and will delay their own interests to attend to the boy. This may develop into going along with the boy, doing what he wants to do, all for the sake of securing the relationship. The problem with this is since they begin to focus on the boy their own goals get side tracked. Girls are also responsible for birth control, protecting themselves from STD's and the consequences of having sex. Until the age of 21 the frontal cortex is not fully developed. This means the part of the brain that helps you reason, control impulses, as well as understand consequences in not fully working. How can you possibly attend to all of the possible consequences of having sex without part of your brain being fully engaged? Let's not forget hormones are going up and down all the time throughout adolescents. You can understand how difficult this becomes.

What's a parent to do?

1. As a parent this is an opportunity for you. Teach your girls about SEX. Set dates with her or go for a walk. Begin by listening to her. Talk about celebrities. Talk about your feelings in regards to sex. You want your daughter to know she can come to you any time. You want her to understand that the most important issue is her health, and her goals in life.

2. Realize that no school will teach your daughter as well as you do. You can talkabout values, your own morals, and the importance of establishing a friendship.You can provide the knowledge of birth control, STD's and keeping her bodyhealthy. Your teaching can be ongoing whereas the school only spends oneafternoon.

3. Impress upon her the importance of being the one in charge of her body. Yes, girls do have to be more responsible for birth control, STD's, and possible pregnancy. But…there is a power in being able to say "NO". Saying I am not ready for sex at this time in my life. Most of the guys I know will respect this, and may end up feeling more enamored with her then if she had said "Yes".

4. If you don't talk to your daughter about sex, someone else will…and there counsel they may not have her best interests in mind. No one will ever love your daughter like you do. Please…begin today and open up the conversation. If you don't lecture but stay open to explore her feelings you may end up feeling much closer and she will know she can always come back to you.

5. Your child did not ask to be born. You brought her here. Stay engaged with her. Know where she is and who she is with.You taught her to ride a bike, tie her shoe, and wrap a present. Now step up tothe plate and teach her about sex.

Mary Jo Rapini is co-author of "StartTalking: a girl's guide for you and your mom about health, sex or whatever."

(HealthNewsDigest.com) - No one goes to see a therapist when they’re happy. Unhappiness and misery motivates couples to seek help. When a couple or individual comes in for help they are frustrated, angry, fed up, impatient and sad. Helping them turn these feelings around to where they are feeling hope, encouragement and excitement is a huge undertaking. The couple works hard in the therapy sessions, and thankfully much of the time they are successful. The couple begins to see humor again, and light at the end of their tumultuous tunnel where they use to feel alone and misunderstood. There are times, unfortunately, where neither they nor a therapist can save the marriage or relationship. Timing, background, history and beliefs affect who makes it and who doesn’t, and also what boundaries were broken affect the possibility of repairing and restoring that can be done. If you are in a loveless relationship and you think you have decided you want out, there are things to think about prior to leaving. If you are in a marriage, or a relationship with children, I would move very slowly through these suggestions and work on each one prior to a split. There is no hurry with ending a marriage unless there is abuse involved. Many couples find that when they give every effort and attention to making things better, their situation improves significantly.

1. Be honest with yourself. Does this person treat you with respect, or are they simply playing the part of a warm body? 2. Write down the pros and cons of leaving. If your only reason to stay is to avoid being alone, that is not enough. 3. Make sure you know the exact reasons you have not left the relationship thus far (money, kids, stability, depression or health concerns). These will be the main reasons for contention if you leave, so plan now how you will work this out. 4. Fill the void in your life. Many times when a relationship is on the rocks the person withdraws from life. You can become happier by shifting the focus from the relationship to your life and interests. 5. Make your friend network stronger. This can help because you will feel validated and your friends will help see you through your choices. 6. Contact a counselor. A counselor will help you navigate unexpected feelings. 7. Talk with your partner directly about the issue if it is safe. If you are with someone who is abusive, contacting them via email or phone is safer. 8. Once a decision to divorce or break up is made by both parties, say goodbye. Do not contact them for a quick meet up as this will only confuse the relationship further and make you feel more alone. 9. Give yourself permission to grieve it and mourn the loss. This is very important. 10. Do not date for at least one year. You need time to rebuild your self-esteem and confidence. If you date too soon after the breakup, you will find another person who is very similar to the last one. One idea I did not mention previously is the importance of a marriage/relationship retreat when your marriage or relationship hits a snag or lull. The reason it is not listed is due to the fact that retreats are much more effective prior to considering a breakup or loss of love. They have the ability to restore a relationship that may be growing dull or taken for granted. In fact, they are as rejuvenating for a marriage as a spa can be for the mind and body. Having a yearly retreat for your marriage or relationship, and making it a celebration of loving rather than something you have to do for the wife or husband, adds to the effectiveness of communication the couple learns while at a retreat. The chances are high that if you put the effort and time into a “re-treat” you will never find yourself in a loveless relationship. –Mary Jo Rapini

Bring in your church bulletin and KFC /Taco Bell will give you 10% off your purchase!

Posted: 2012-07-19 11:47:00 | Last Updated: 2012-07-19 11:47:00

Get 10% Off At The Fayette KFC/Taco Bell

By WLDX

Posted: 2012-07-19 11:45:00 | Last Updated: 2012-07-19 11:45:00

Coffee Drinkers – The Good News Just Keeps Coming

By WLDX

(HealthNewsDigest.com) - Many experts are now suggesting the big 3 health habits we should aim for – exercise regularly, eat more fruits and vegetables, and drink coffee daily. Study after study is pointing toward positive health outcomes for coffee drinkers. Since coffee is one of the most widely consumed beverages in the world this is good news.

Four cups of coffee a day may reduce the risk of a heart attack. Contrary to past recommendation we now know that regular coffee drinking is not dangerous to the heart and may actually protect against heart failure by as much as 11%. Realize though that Americans drink large cups of coffee, so this recommendation translates into 2 regular coffees in the US or 4 cups in Europe where servings are the more traditional 5 to 6 ounces. The benefits from coffee drinking were strongest with 4 (5 ounce) cups a day, but when you drink over 5 cups a day the protective effect did not hold and that amount might be bad for your health.

Other studies have linked coffee drinking with reduced risk for type 2 diabetes. Since diabetes is a major risk factor for heart disease, if you can reduce your risk for diabetes you in turn reduce your risk of heart disease, too.

The protein, SHBG (sex hormone-binding globulin) regulates the body’s sex hormones and has long been suspected of playing a role in the development of type 2 diabetes. Drinking moderate amounts of coffee increases blood levels of SHBG. In one study, women who drank 4 cups of regular coffee a day have higher levels of SHBG and were 56% less likely to develop type 2 diabetes than non-coffee drinkers. Bad news for decaf lovers – decaffeinated coffee does not raise SHBG levels and does not lower diabetes risk. In this study caffeine appears to be the driving protective factor but that is not always the case. Coffee is a very complex food with over 1,000 active chemicals and a strong array of antioxidants.

People with high blood pressure are often told to drink decaffeinated coffee because coffee and caffeine consumption are known to raise blood pressure. But we now realize that people who regularly drink moderate amounts of coffee develop a tolerance and coffee drinking no longer poses a risk of raising their blood pressure. Coffee may even be protective against high blood pressure. This benefit holds true whether you drink decaf or regular.

Here’s a fact that may surprise you. Moderate daily consumption of caffeinated coffee may be the best dietary option for protection against Alzheimer’s memory loss. Older individuals with higher blood levels of caffeine had a reduced risk for dementia and a reduced risk of short-term memory loss converting to Alzheimer’s. The protection held even for those already showing mild memory problems. Drinking moderate amounts of coffee throughout adulthood could appreciably lower the risk for Alzheimer’s disease in later life. Here the association between caffeine and Alzheimer’s appeared strong. But, when researchers feed isolated caffeine or decaffeinated coffee to Alzheimer’s prone mice, the protective effect did not occur. The researchers concluded that the caffeine was interacting with other components in the coffee to protect against memory loss. Isolating the caffeine or eliminating it had no value.

Evidence from an animal study points to a protective effect on muscles from caffeine. Preserving muscle as we age is vital to maintain strength, prevent falls, and avoid debilitating injuries, such as a broken hip. The study showed caffeine did not help muscles develop, but for adults it does help muscles produce more force, and in older adults it may act as a stimulant to boost power.

The United Methodist Children's Home, a non-profit Christian Ministry, is seeking caring people to become foster families for an abused or neglected child. The Methodist Children's Home is located in Jasper, Alabama and serves the nine counties of Blount, Cullman, Fayette, Marion, Lamar, Walker, Winston and Tuscaloosa. They also provide training and substantial financial support. For more information call 205-384-6383. If you live in one of the counties your home could be a bridge to a child's future. Become a foster parent today!

Posted: 2012-07-09 10:59:00 | Last Updated: 2012-07-09 09:02:00

Drink Up, It's Hot Outside!

By WLDX

(HealthNewsDigest.com) - Well, it's barely summer on the calendar, yet we're in the midst of the dogs days usually found in August. So with more hot weather to come, let's drink up;with the best drink around, water that is! Water is a vital nutrient; vital to our health, to our exercise tolerance and to our every bodily function (We'll discuss water's functions in detail next week). Drinking enough water is even more important during hot humid weather so here's my yearly summer reminder for us to drink up (if you're somewhere cooler, you're lucky!)!

Drink up because we've been told over and over how we need a minimum of 8 glasses of water per day (I prefer water bottles myself). This of course is an estimate and not all our fluid needs are met through water. In addition, some of us have higher fluid needs than others just based upon our body weight. For instance, the taller we are, the more we weigh, the more fluids we need compared to our shorter friends. So, let's take a look at how much we're really taking in, or the net amount I call it, after we have subtracted our dehydrating habits from the basic 8 recommendation. We'll have a little fun, but more importantly, let's drink a little more if we need to!

Let's start with our 8 glasses, assuming we really are drinking 8 glasses to start with and then subtract from the 8 glasses, if we Drink coffee? Subtract one cup of water from our 8 for every cup of coffee (current research suggests that our body does adapt to caffeine and will not cause dehydration with regular consumption; however for our purposes let's still consider caffeine as a dehydration factor since the research is not conclusive).

Drink tea other than herbal? Subtract 1/2 cup of water from our 8 for every cup of tea. P.S. Green tea is not an herbal tea unless it states herbal on the label.

Drink soda with caffeine (this includes both diet and regular)? Subtract a cup of water from our 8 for every 10-12 ounces of soda.

Drink alcohol (last night for instance?)? Yep, subtract another cup of water from our 8 for every drink of hard liquor.

Exercise regularly for one hour or more? Subtract at least 2 cups of water for even moderate/light exercise from our 8. Keep in mind we will need more of water if we exercise longer or exercise more intensely, and/or if we sweat heavily. More water is required for outdoor exercise or exercise that is prolonged (hiking, or endurance events for example!) during humid weather.

Eight glasses of water per day is the general recommendation in addition to our other sources of fluids, but we may actually need more. Here's some questions to ask that if answered yes, may mean we need even more water.

Do we Eat very few fresh fruits and raw veggies? The 8 glasses is the general guideline if we're taking in foods with medium to high water content and if we are taking in other fluids such as milk, juice, soups etc.

Follow a high protein diet with little or no carbs? If yes, think extra water too, since our kidneys need to work a bit harder requiring extra water to flush out unusable protein molecules.

Eat high sodium meals? Our body maintains a fluid balance range so that we need more water not less when we eat foods that are high in sodium. Don't think your food has a lot of salt? Okay, do you eat out regularly, eat prepared foods, fast foods, canned foods? And the list can go on and on!

Watch our Weight? Studies indicate that drinking more water helps us to maintain our weight possibly by filling us up (without permanently filling us out I'd like to add!).

Take medications? Our kidneys filter and flush out the metabolic products of medications so guess what, our kidneys will function better with extra water. Some medications may require more water than usual, so let's check with our doctor.

Have cardiovascular disease (high blood pressure, etc.) Then drinking extra water is especially important. Have we eaten a high fat meal? Extra water will help to keep the blood volume flowing (reduces viscosity or blood thickness) for those of us at risk for an acute cardiovascular event.

Have extra fluid needs such as pregnancy or are we a new mom breastfeeding? Extra water is needed for the extra blood volume that accompanies pregnancy, and for the high fluid content of breast milk.

These are just a few of the reasons we may not be drinking enough or we may need extra water, especially now during a hot summer day. So, did we have 3 cups of coffee today, exercise for an hour and have a few summer drinks last night? How many cups of water did we have, and do we need to drink a bit more? I like to keep a pint size water bottle at my desk, sip and refill; this way I can keep track!

Need some short term "eat -healthier" or "restrict a few pounds" help? Contact me via reply to june@junefit.com for info on my new Telephonic Health & Weight Loss Coaching program. Individual sessions available as well. My book "It's NOT a Diet, it's Creative Eating!" available at http://www.amazon.com/Its-Not-Diet-Creative-Eating/dp/1432743597/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1259605985&sr=1-1

Here's to the best hot weather drink, water so drink up!

June M Lay M.S.JuneFit Contact us for information on the new "10-week Personalized Get- in- Shape" Programs by emailing me or hit reply to this tip.

The information included here does not replace a physician's recommendations. Please seek your doctor's approval before beginning a new diet program especially if any pre-existing medical condition exists, or your diet excludes any one food group.

Tax cheats were given $1.4 billion in government-backed mortgage loans under President Obama’s economic stimulus, and the government doled out at least an additional $27 million in tax credits to delinquents who took the first-time-homebuyer tax break, according to a government audit released Wednesday.

Under government rules, delinquent taxpayers are supposed to be ineligible for the mortgage insurance program unless they have reached a repayment agreement with the Internal Revenue Service. But the Federal Housing Administration didn’t have the right controls to weed out bad applications, said the Government Accountability Office, Congress‘ chief investigative arm.

That meant FHA insured $1.4 billion in mortgages for 6,327 borrowers who collectively owed $77.6 million in unpaid taxes, or an average of more than $12,000 each.

The auditors said that as a category, the tax cheats had foreclosure rates up to three times as high as other borrowers, which meant the delinquent taxpayers exposed the government to even greater risks.

“In the name of ‘stimulus,’ the federal government gave mortgage insurance to thousands of people we knew were tax cheats and had a bad track record paying their debts,” said Sen. Tom Coburn, Oklahoma Republican, who joined a bipartisan group of other lawmakers to request the investigation. “The federal government needlessly put taxpayers on the line to help tax cheats buy homes. Congress needs to ensure that tax cheats are no longer allowed to take advantage of FHA programs.”

In addition to the mortgages, the auditors found that more than half of the tax-delinquent borrowers claimed the first-time-homebuyers’ credit, worth up to $8,000.

GAO said there is no prohibition against someone claiming the credit, even though they still have unpaid tax bills. The credit is refundable, meaning taxpayers can get a check back from the government if the benefit exceeds their liability. IRS rules generally call for the agency to subtract any unpaid taxes from the refund, but in three of the nine cases that GAO analyzed in depth, it said the taxpayers had declared bankruptcy, meaning the IRS was prevented from docking the refunds.

The report was the GAO’s second study looking at tax cheats and the stimulus.

In the first report, GAO said thousands of contracts and grants were paid out under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act to those with unpaid tax bills.

Mr. Obama pushed the $831 billion economic stimulus in early 2009 as a means of bolstering the faltering economy, and promised to use strict controls to cut fraud and abuse. At its peak in mid-2010, it was responsible for as many as 3.6 million jobs, but could have funded as few as 700,000, according to the Congressional Budget Office.

Part of the Recovery Act was aimed at shoring up the housing market, which included the first-time-homebuyer tax credit and the mortgage assistance, which let the FHA insure loans at a higher rate in high-cost housing markets.

About 1.7 million individuals claimed the tax credit, while FHA insured more than $20 billion in mortgages for 87,000 homeowners, thanks to the Recovery Act provisions.

Under a White House policy, buyers who are delinquent on their federal taxes are not supposed to receive the mortgage assistance, unless they have worked out a repayment agreement with the IRS. But FHA rules don’t prod private lenders to ask for that information, and the FHA doesn’t have a system to work with the IRS to get that information.

“The stimulus-spending program was ill-conceived, with far too little oversight,” Mr. Grassley said. “It shouldn’t surprise anyone, unfortunately, that tax dollars have gone to tax cheats. It’s another one of many negative consequences of writing checks without enough checks and balances.”

Compounding the matter, those with tax problems are more likely to end up in foreclosure. Nearly a third of mortgage holders with unpaid taxes were “seriously delinquent” on their payments, and 6.3 percent had been foreclosed - a rate nearly three times higher than homeowners who were paid up with the IRS.

The Department of Housing and Urban Development accepted the report and will work with the IRS to try to get access to information that would help it cull tax cheats, Carol J. Galante, an acting assistant secretary, said in the department’s official response.

She said they also will try to clarify FHA rules so lenders are clear about the eligibility requirements for loans.

Posted: 2012-06-29 09:09:00 | Last Updated: 2012-06-29 09:09:00

Seafood Labeling Fraud Places Consumers at Risk

By WLDX

June 26, 2012 - Fraudulent labeling of imported seafood is a growing economic and health problem. A report by conservation group Oceana shows that as many as 7-in-10 American orders for grouper, red snapper, or other popular wild seafoods, actually receive cheaper farmed species imported from Asia.

Such seafood fraud is a health concern. Consumers may unknowingly expose themselves to dangerous chemical and drug additives illegal for use in the United States --- or unwittingly eat fish they are allergic to.

Although 84 percent of the seafood eaten by Americans is imported, only two percent is inspected for safety, and less than 0.001 percent is checked for labeling fraud. In 2010, for example, nearly ten million pounds of a cheap, catfish-like species imported from Vietnam was sold in the U.S. as grouper and sole. Consumers in several cities paid as much as $25 a plate for this $3 per pound fish, which was mislabeled as grouper.

Birmingham, AL (June 25, 2012) – The American Red Cross blood supply has reached emergency levels with 50,000 fewer donations than expected in June. This shortfall leaves the Red Cross with half the readily available blood products on hand now than this time last year.

The Red Cross is calling on all eligible blood donors – now more than ever – to roll up a sleeve and give as soon as possible. All blood types are needed, but especially O positive, O negative, B negative and A negative in order to meet patient demand this summer.

An unseasonably early start to spring may be a contributing factor to this year’s decrease in donations. Many regular donors got an early start on summer activities and aren’t taking time to give blood or platelets. In addition, this year’s mid-week Independence Day holiday has reduced the number of scheduled Red Cross blood drives. Many sponsors, especially businesses, are unable to host drives because employees are taking extended vacations.

Unfortunately, patients don’t get a holiday from needing blood products. The need is constant. Every two seconds, someone in the United States needs a blood transfusion. Blood and platelets are needed for many different reasons, including accident and burn victims, heart surgery patients, organ transplant patients, premature babies – when there are complications during childbirth – and for patients receiving treatment for leukemia, cancer or sickle cell disease.

“Every day, the Red Cross must collect more than 17,000 pints of blood for patients at more than 3,000 hospitals and transfusion centers across the country. Of that, the Alabama and Central Gulf Coast Blood Services Region must collect approximately 600 pints per day,” said Mark Beddingfield, CEO of the American Red Cross Alabama and Central Gulf Coast Blood Services Region, serving the state of AL, the Mississippi Coast and the Florida Panhandle. “We need donors to make appointments in the coming days and weeks to help us ensure that all patient blood needs can be met. Each pint of whole blood can help save more than one life.”

“There is always the chance that a physician could postpone an elective surgery if the needed blood products aren’t readily available or, in a worst case scenario, have to forego a more serious procedure because of a shortage of blood.” Beddingfield added. “Our goal is to ensure that doesn’t happen.”

more

Call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or visit redcrossblood.org to make an appointment or for more information. A blood donor card or driver’s license, or two other forms of identification are required at check-in. Individuals who are 17 years of age (16 with parental permission in some states), weigh at least 110 pounds and are in generally good health may be eligible to donate blood. High school students and other donors 18 years of age and younger also have to meet certain height and weight requirements.

About the American Red Cross

The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies more than 40 percent of the nation's blood; teaches skills that save lives; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a not-for-profit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or join our blog at blog.redcross.org.

In an effort to protect property owners amid increasing complaints that Big Oil and Gas are not providing fair and just compensation for drilling on their land, Environmental Attorney Stuart Smith, Smith Stag LLC, is launching a nationwide website about mineral royalties fraud.

“This problem is so serious due to the current fracking boom,” said Mr. Smith. “The increasing complaints we hear from property owners are that oil and gas companies are underpaying for the amount of oil or gas extracted, or drilling underneath their land from a property next door or nearby, without obtaining the rights.”

Thus, a new website started by Mr. Smith’s law firm, www.Mineralroyaltiesfraud.com, explains this problem for property owners in simple terms, answers frequently asked questions and reviews the latest cases. An online form also allows for free case evaluation.

Recent cases in New York, Pennsylvania and Ohio have involved successful suits by property owners forcing oil and gas companies to renegotiate mineral leases according to fair market rates.

“There are stories about mineral royalties fraud almost every day,” said Mr. Smith. “With all the well-deserved publicity that America's frackapalooza has brought to unsafe environmental practices that poisoned the water or fouled the air, mineral royalties fraud shouldn’t be ignored as a concurrent story. Making sure energy giants pay their fair share and follow the law requires constant monitoring.”

“Enter Alabama Republican Jeff Sessions, who proposed reforms to limit the worst excesses. One proposal would have established a federal asset test to ensure that food stamps aren’t going to families that may not have an income but have tens of thousands of dollars in savings or may even live in a million-dollar home… Mr. Sessions also tried to end the preposterous federal policy of paying some $500 million in bonuses to states that sign up more people for food stamps. This is the way government becomes a permanent feedback loop promoting even bigger government.”

The next time someone moans about Washington “austerity,” tell them about the Senate’s food stamp votes on Tuesday. Democrats and a few Republicans united to block even modest reform in a welfare program that has exploded in the last decade and is set to spend $770 billion in the next 10 years.

Yes, $770 billion on a single program. And you wonder why the U.S. had its credit-rating downgraded?

When the food stamp program began in the 1970s, it was designed to help about 1 of 50 Americans who were in severe financial distress. But thanks to eligibility changes first by President George W. Bush as part of the 2002 farm bill and then by President Obama in the 2008 stimulus, food stamps are becoming the latest middle-class entitlement.

A record 44.7 million people received food stamps in fiscal 2011, up from 28.2 million as recently as 2008. The cost has more than doubled in that same period, to $78 billion, and is on track to account for 78% of farm bill spending over the next decade. One in seven Americans now qualifies.

Once there was a stigma to going on the dole, and it was seen as a last resort. But now the Agriculture Department runs radio and TV ads prodding people to get the free food, as in a recent campaign that says food stamps will help you lose weight. A federal website boasts about strategies that have “increased program participation” with special emphasis on Hispanics because “our data show that many low-income Latinos simply don’t apply for [food stamps] even though they’re eligible.”

In the 1990s Bill Clinton boasted that welfare reform took Americans off the dole. The Obama Administration boasts about how many it has added.

Enter Alabama Republican Jeff Sessions, who proposed reforms to limit the worst excesses. One proposal would have established a federal asset test to ensure that food stamps aren’t going to families that may not have an income but have tens of thousands of dollars in savings or may even live in a million-dollar home. Some 39 states have no real asset test for food stamps, which means wealthy families without anyone in the job market are eligible, and 27 have gross-income limits that are above 130% of the federal poverty guidelines.

That amendment lost 56-43, with every Democrat except Missouri’s Claire McCaskill opposing it. New England Republicans Scott Brown, Susan Collins and Olympia Snowe and Nevada’s Dean Heller joined the antireformers.

Mr. Sessions also tried to end the preposterous federal policy of paying some $500 million in bonuses to states that sign up more people for food stamps. This is the way government becomes a permanent feedback loop promoting even bigger government. That amendment lost 58-41, with every self-described Democratic “deficit hawk” opposed.

Still to come is an amendment on another egregious practice that lets some 15 states automatically enroll families for food stamps if they get federal home-heating subsidies. Some states mail heating subsidy checks of as little as $1 a month so families can qualify for federal food stamp benefits of as much as $130 a month. That amendment too is expected to fail.

It’s true that the recession and feeble recovery have expanded the number of people who need food assistance, but Mr. Sessions’s reforms would have harmed no one who really needs help. His amendments would have saved at most some $20 billion over 10 years, which would still leave some three-quarters of a trillion dollars in outlays.

Earlier this year, House Republicans passed their own food stamp reform that will save some $34 billion over a decade. That bill will now go to a House-Senate farm bill conference, and perhaps some savings can be salvaged. But the news in the Senate vote is that the political class still isn’t remotely serious about reforming government. The voters are going to have to clean out a lot more spenders in November if they want real change.

Posted: 2012-06-21 08:34:00 | Last Updated: 2012-06-21 08:34:00

Fayette County Board of Education Informational Meeting

By WLDX

There will be an informational meeting Thursday, June 21st at 5:30 pm in the Fayette County Board of Education boardroom. The purpose of this informational meeting is to discuss the proposal made by the Community Service Programs (Headstart/Early Headstart) to lease, with the option to purchase the Fayette Area Career/Technical School (old A.V.C.). School representatives and a CSP representative will be there to address any questions. We solicit community input on the proposal. If you have any questions, please call Wade Shipman, Superintendent at 205-932-4611.

Posted: 2012-06-18 09:59:00 | Last Updated: 2012-06-18 09:59:00

PHYSICAL EXAMINATION NOW REQUIRED FOR SCHOOL BUS DRIVERS

By WLDX

Compliance Mandatory by August 14, 2012

Montgomery, AL – The signing of the Lieutenant Dexter Holcomb Act, Section 16-27-4.1, Code of Alabama (1975), by Governor Bentley on May 14, 2012, puts in place new requirements for any person driving a school bus, transporting students. The person must have successfully completed a physical examination by a licensed physician, at his or her own expense.

“This new requirement will help Alabama school systems and school bus drivers continue transporting students safely. I encourage all school bus drivers and others holding an Alabama School Bus Driver Certificate to contact their local school system transportation office immediately to learn more about complying with new regulation,” Joe Lightsey, Director of Pupil Transportation, Alabama Department of Education.

The Act mandates a driver must be in compliance by August 14, 2012. A driver must be ‘physically qualified’ to operate a school bus ‘transporting students to and from school or school-related events.’ The general provisions of the Act are:

A person may not be allowed to drive a school bus transporting students unless he or she is physically qualified.

The physical qualifications ‘mirror’ those required for a Department of Transportation Medical Card.

The Act applies to new, current and future school bus drivers, including substitute drivers.

The results of the physical examination must be documented on forms prescribed by ADE and maintained at the school system’s central office.

Drivers may be ‘grandfathered’ for any condition if the doctor states that the condition will not adversely affects their ability to control and safely operate a school bus. A signed waiver is also required.

Drivers who fail to comply with the Act will lose their Alabama School Bus Driver Certificate.

On June 14, the Alabama Board of Education adopted an Alabama Administrative Code (AAC) Emergency Rule (290-2-4-.08) to assist school systems in complying. The Emergency Rule provides that no person may be allowed to operate a school bus transporting students to or from school or school-related events unless that person is physically qualified in accordance with Section 16-27-4.1 of the Code of Alabama (1975).

Please contact Pupil Transportation, for more information at joel@alsde.edu or at 334-242-9730.

Posted: 2012-06-15 11:04:00 | Last Updated: 2012-06-15 11:04:00

Putting A Stake Through The Cholesterol Theory Of Heart Disease

By WLDX

(HealthNewsDigest.com) - This column has scrutinized the cholesterol theory of heart disease in previous articles. The overwhelming evidence against this theory is widely available, but here are a few key points:

50 percent of the people who are hospitalized with heart attacks have normal cholesterol levels

Numerous studies, including Framingham and MONICA, show no linkage or de minimis linkage between cholesterol level and heart disease, and what correlation that does exist disappears by age 50

So did other researchers who tried to duplicate his results in dogs and rats—and failed. It would later be shown that the elevated cholesterol in rabbits depressed thyroid function, and that was the real culprit. Even Ancel Keys, the infamous data cherry-picking promoter of the related saturated fat connection to heart disease, would readily admit that dietary cholesterol has little effect on serum cholesterol in humans. And, high cholesterol diet studies in primates indicate that arterial lesions are produced only in those arteries that were already significantly inflamed.

You might ask why Anitschkow decided to feed cholesterol to rabbits in the first place. According to a 1993 paper by Jeffrey M. Hoeg and Anatoli N. Klimov, he was examining the notion—proposed in his era—that too much dietary protein accelerated the aging process. In fact, in 1909, work done at Nikolai's med school, by Dr. I.A. Ignatowski, involved feeding rabbits large amounts of meat, eggs, and milk. Young rabbits developed serious liver and adrenal problems, while adult rabbits got those arterial lesions. Since atherosclerosis is a sign of aging, Ignatowski believed that he had proven the hypothesis.

Not so fast. Anitschkow showed that he could produce the same effect without any protein, by just using cholesterol. Somehow lost on these Russian scientists was the little matter that the diets they were forcing on those poor creatures bore no resemblance to what they consumed in real life.

Fast forward to the present.

With the wheels rapidly coming off the cholesterol theory, a refinement was proposed in the 1990s. We had to start thinking instead of "good" and "bad" cholesterol. LDL-C, the "bad" cholesterol, is really the cholesterol contained in low density lipoprotein. HDL-C, the "good" cholesterol, is the cholesterol contained in high density lipoprotein. The containment serves to transport the cholesterol molecules around the cell and the bloodstream. However, this refinement itself was soon refined, whereby there are two types of LDL-C, and we should be more concerned about type-B LDL particles (as opposed to type-A LDL particles).

While you would expect that tying dietary elements to heart disease can be complex, clinging to—and applying seemingly endless modifications—to a theory which was first proffered nearly 100 years ago might be a fool's errand. Here's more food for thought:

An article just appeared in The Lancet, entitled "Plasma HDL cholesterol and risk of myocardial infarction: a mendelian randomisation study." In essence, the study suggests that while high HDL-C may well be a marker of lower risk for heart disease, as the authors put it "These data challenge the concept that raising of plasma HDL cholesterol will uniformly translate into reductions in risk of myocardial infarction."

Likewise, new data from the Framingham Heart Study, presented on March 25th at the American College of Cardiology's 61st Annual Scientific Session indicate that low LDL-cholesterol correlates with the future development of cancer. As Dr. David Brownstein and others point out, there are numerous studies linking low cholesterol (including LDL-cholesterol) and cancer development.

More than that, low cholesterol is related to reduced immune system function, and has been connected to the development of neurological disorders such as Parkinson's and Alzheimer's disease. Maybe that's because the brain requires large amounts of cholesterol.

So, what does cause heart disease? Many people now believe that it originates with so-called silent inflammation (chronic inflammation that initially brings you no pain), driven by overproduction of "bad" eicosanoids—biochemicals that control the inflammatory process. It is most ironic that one of the greatest physicians of all time, Dr. Rudolf Virchow (1821-1902), believed that atherosclerosis is an inflammatory disease, and advanced this theory more than 150 years ago!

Well-known PhD biochemist Barry Sears has been leading the charge against inflammation, and he's definitely in good company.

Posted: 2012-06-04 08:07:00 | Last Updated: 2012-06-04 08:07:00

Alabama Department of Public Safety: Post-Memorial Day Weekend release

By WLDX

Montgomery - During the Memorial Day holiday period that started at 6 p.m. Friday, May 25, and continued through midnight Monday, May 28, state troopers investigated three fatal crashes with three traffic fatalities, a reduction compared to the seven traffic fatalities that troopers investigated in 2011.

The three fatal crashes this past weekend took place in Walker, Madison and Winston counties. Preliminary investigations indicate that in two of the three crashes, seat belts were available but were not in use. In the third fatal crash, a motorcyclist was killed.

Despite heavier than usual traffic for holiday travel, troopers were not called to investigate any fatal crashes Sunday or Monday.

Statewide statistics for the Memorial Day holiday period are not available at this time as totals from other law enforcement agencies still are being reported.

------------Public Information/EducationAlabama Department of Public Safety334-242-4445

MONTGOMERY: Making every effort to prevent crashes, injuries and fatalities on Alabama’s roadways, state troopers will be out in full force as part of the Department of Public Safety’s Memorial Day Weekend safety blitz.

“With heavier than usual traffic expected during this extended holiday weekend, we will aggressively enforce traffic laws,” said Col. Hugh B. McCall, Public Safety’s director. “Troopers will target such dangerous behavior as speeding, DUI, distracted driving and following too closely, all of which cause crashes and contribute to more severe crashes.”

In addition, troopers will engage in routine patrols and be available to assist motorists, McCall said. To help ensure safety, all available troopers will be in uniform and on Alabama’s roadways during this program.

The official Memorial Day holiday travel period begins at 6 p.m. Friday, May 25, and ends at midnight Monday, May 28. Last year during the 78‐hour Memorial Day weekend, 10 people were killed in traffic crashes in the state. At least seven of the deaths were alcohol related, and seven crash victims who were vehicle occupants were not using safety restraints.

During this time, troopers also will continue to participate in the national Click It Or Ticket safety initiative, which runs through June 3 and is designed to promote the use of seat belts and child restraints and will be looking for motorists who are not buckled up. In Alabama, the seat belt law mandates that all front-seat occupants ? regardless of age ? be restrained.

The state’s child restraint law requires the following size‐appropriate restraint systems for children riding in front and back seats:

-- Infant‐only seats and convertible seats used in the rear‐facing position for infants until at least 1 year of age or 20 pounds

-- Convertible seats in the forward position or forward‐facing seats until the child is at least 5 years of age or 40 pounds

-- Booster seats until the child is 6 years of age

-- Seat belts until the child is 15 years of age

McCall said the expanded enforcement initiative is made possible by grant funding provided by the Alabama Department of Transportation and the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs’ Law Enforcement/Traffic Safety Section. He cited ALDOT and ADECA as valuable partners in the state’s traffic safety efforts and thanked them for their ongoing support.

Posted: 2012-05-23 15:15:00 | Last Updated: 2012-05-23 13:19:00

Gospel Invasion Group (G.I.G) Invades Alabama!

By WLDX

The Voice of Truth Worship Center. would like to invite you to a special worship service on Sunday morning May 20th with the “Gospel Invasion Group” from the country of ICELAND. In part with the “ICELAND G.I.G. in America” tour, this powerful team will be ministering LIVE! in song and testimony during the 10:30am morning worship service. So mark your calendar to be there and receive a blessing beyond measure! Admission is FREE and a love offering will be received to help this team with their travel expenses. The Church is located in the old Pocahontas Free Will Baptist Church building at 225-B Rubley Road in Carbon Hill, Alabama. For more information please call 205-932-5457. They will also be performing at Trinity Church of God Sunday at 5:30 pm and Wednesday, May 23rd at the Sanctuary Church of God at 7 pm.

GIG brings an energetic message of praise, passion and love of gospel music through pop and rock music. GIG has released a total of four CD’s, which includes a feature song in the movie “Brim.”

GIG’s latest CD entitled “The Next GIG” is the very first CD that contains original content written by the band and also includes segments from “live” in concert. One thing is for sure “GIG is one Gospel band that you will want to see their electrifying performance will leave you in a state of amazement, continuous praise, and will leave you with a new perspective of Gospel music for all time.

Posted: 2012-05-19 11:08:00 | Last Updated: 2012-05-19 11:08:00

Breaking News!

By WLDX

Accident at the intersection of Bynum Outdoor Power Equipment and former Ox Bodies Industry.

Posted: 2012-05-16 14:09:00 | Last Updated: 2012-05-16 14:09:00

PCA RODEO MAY 18th & 19th

By WLDX

The Fayette County Cattlemen's Association will hold their PCA Rodeo at the Fayette Indoor Multi-Purpose Complex Friday, May 18th and Saturday, May 19th at 7:30 pm. Their will be bull riding, calf roping, team roping, break away, roping, saddle bronc, bareback riding, steer wrestling, and barrel racing. Some of the kids events will include: Chicken chase, greased pig, calf scramble, gold rush, and more. Admission is $10 for adults, $5 ages 5-12, and free admission for ages 4 and under. For more info call Luke Lummus at 662-494-7037, Jeff Sullivan at 205-270-6579, or Sammy Hindman at 205-270-1486.

Posted: 2012-05-16 10:40:00 | Last Updated: 2012-05-16 10:40:00

Open House Set for May 24th For Fayette Speculative Building

By WLDX

Fayette City and County elected leaders invite everyone to join them at 10 a.m. on Thursday, May 24, for a dedication and Open House to showcase their new speculative building, which has already proven to be an effective tool to attract the interest of prospective new businesses. The 52,500 square foot building is located in the new Fayette Industrial Park, which is directly across US43 from the Bevill-Fayette campus, on 25th Street NE. Special guests representing State and regional economic development entities have been invited to share brief remarks about the purpose and importance of this project, as it provides Fayette a favorable advantage in recruiting and growing industrial jobs. Light refreshments will be served until 11, following the welcoming comments at 10.

Posted: 2012-05-09 10:34:00 | Last Updated: 2012-05-16 08:40:00

2012 Summer S.M.A.R.T.

By WLDX

S.M.A.R.T., which stands for Stimulating Minds and Realizing Talents, will have have their Summer Camp Monday through Friday beginning Monday, June 4th and run through Friday, July 27th. The summer camp is a well-designed summer program that can provide the essential learning opportunities to stave off the seasonal learning gap. The program will be for students entering Kindergarten through 7th grade. The registration fee will be $10, students attending S.M.A.R.T. regularly during the school year do not have to pay a registration fee, registration will include a tee shirt and backpack. For more information call 205-932-3161, 205-270-2704, or 205-270-7010. You can also email jdmoore@fayette.k12.al.us

Posted: 2012-05-08 12:30:00 | Last Updated: 2012-05-08 11:46:00

Park and Rec Games Rescheduled

By WLDX

All Park and Rec games scheduled for Tuesday, May 8 will be played on Monday, May 7 at the same times and places as scheduled.

Posted: 2012-05-01 10:00:00 | Last Updated: 2012-05-01 10:00:00

ONE YEAR LATER: Recovery continues but pain lingers from Alabama's April 27 tornadoes

By WLDX

For Alabama, this will be a week for remembering.

Official ceremonies marking the April 27 anniversary will pay respects to the 248 people who lost their lives in the tornado outbreak. They'll pay homage also to those who helped residents laid low by the storms. And they'll pay tribute to communities that have refused to stay down.

For some people personally affected by the storms -- 62 tornadoes that badly damaged or destroyed almost 14,000 homes -- the milestone will be an opportunity for further reflection and healing, mental health experts say. But for many, the renewed focus on last year's storms also will be a challenge, jarring loose painful memories and triggering new spasms of grief.

"The anniversary's going to be a tough time," said Lisa Turley, director of Project Rebound, a state crisis-counseling program activated after the tornado outbreak.

Some tornado survivors will find anniversary observances helpful. Others won't want any part of the formal commemorations. And Turley said that's OK.

"There's no right way or wrong way," she said.

In northeast Alabama, Perry Michaels said he's keenly aware it's been almost a year since tornadoes struck DeKalb County, killing both his parents and three other relatives. He said his goal is to get through Friday as if it were any other day. He doesn't plan to attend public events related to the anniversary.

"I will remember it anyway," Michaels said. "I'd rather not be around a lot of other people remembering it, too."

In Concord, Ben Hamm will join his neighbors a week on Sunday, April 29, in remembering seven people who died in the community. He'll also help raise a new welcome sign -- a tangible reflection of the stronger identity the community has forged since the storms.

Hamm, whose home was among the casualties of a tornado, is president of the Concord Community Association, which grew out of the devastation of last year's storms. But while the community is trying to move forward, residents don't have to look far to find something that recalls April 27.

It started in the morning of April 27, 2011 and lasted all day -- a lashing string of tornadoes that tore through Alabama smashing buildings, snapping trees and ending lives. It was, in the end, among the state's worst days.

The Birmingham News continuing through April 29 is presenting ONE YEAR LATER, an anniversary series of stories reviewing some of what happened, what has been accomplished and what still lies ahead.

• Tornado diaries -- final installments in the stories of Annie Muse of Walker County and of Shawn and Jamie Burchfield of Pleasant Grove

Jefferson County Commissioner Jimmie Stephens has been working with the community to try to address wreckage that remains untouched on about a half-dozen properties. "It has really been a challenge to get this last little bit done," Stephens said.

While there's been much progress, the lingering damage and debris are "a constant reminder of ... how much your life can change in a split second," Hamm said.

"It is hard on people. I think getting all of these houses down is part of the healing process and being able to move forward."

Even where cleanup has occurred, the empty expanses and vacant lots offer relentless reminders of the storm. "The trees are gone; the land is just decimated," Turley said. "You have very much the visible signs of the tornadoes coming through."

Rick Cato, pastor of Bethel Baptist Church in Pleasant Grove, said the visual impact is disconcerting even for those whose property wasn't affected. "It's still disorienting to drive in the community," he said. "It looks so radically different."

The scrubbed parcels also can trigger frustration about the pace of recovery. "Downtown, ain't nothing been built back. Not one thing," Pete Bush, a former high school coach, said about Cordova.

In both Cordova and Hackleburg, the loss of a grocery store was considered a serious community setback -- an example of the way blank spots in the landscape represent losses that go beyond buildings: Here, what had been a grocery store that served as a hub for the neighborhood. There, what had been the home of a beloved neighbor, who chose not to return.

"There's a lot of people in my neighborhood not rebuilding. They're gone," said Jessie Calhoun, who said she is one of the few returning to her street in Birmingham's South Hampton area.

Which is not to say everyone is depressed by the new landscapes. Beverly Coleman, who was able to repair her home on Cherry Avenue, said she likes the new look and the new life she sees now in Pratt City. "Every day I walk outside and look at a new home going up, it just gives me joy," she said.

Remember the good

As the anniversary approaches, some mental health experts say it's not bad to look for the good that came from the tornadoes.

"Some of the point of the ceremonies is celebrating our resilience and our ability to come together," said Dr. Cheryl McCullumsmith, a psychiatry professor and director of hospital psychiatry and psychiatric emergency services at UAB. "The flipside to a tragedy is seeing the good in other people. That's some of what we're remembering, too."

Regardless, those who went through the tornadoes shouldn't be surprised this week to find themselves sidetracked by unhappy thoughts of April 27, she said. Survivors may feel sad, anxious or edgy. Some may have nightmares or problems sleeping.

Survivors can find constructive ways to help cope with any issues related to the one-year milestone, McCullumsmith said. She encourages survivors to get extra rest, keep their normal routines and talk about their feelings. Those who don't want to attend organized events shouldn't think they have to.

"I think what is important is to reach out and connect to people, and not isolate yourself," she said.

She advises survivors to limit the anniversary media coverage they see and especially the coverage their children see.

"There's bound to be some sadness on an anniversary," she said. "But you can make sure you're not turning on the Weather Channel and watching it 24 hours a day. ... That can really re-traumatize you."

Even after the anniversary has come and gone, Turley said, Alabamians will still be living through the storm.

"You don't get better just because it's 2012, and the blue tarp's off the roof," she said. "But the citizens are recovering. They're recovering in a very healthy way. The resilience of the people is just so amazing.

4,000 MORE TROOPS DEPLOYING TO AFGHANISTAN THEY WILL NEED OUR SUPPORT VERY SOON!

By WLDX

More of our troops are deploying to Afghanistan and they will be needing our help very soon as they get boots on the ground. The spring is warming up, and with it will come a new wave of fighting against the Taliban. More troops means there will be an even bigger need for care packages through the summer!

Over 4,000 troops from the 2nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division gathered at Joint Base Lewis-McChord in Washington in preparation for a long deployment in Afghanistan.

"The brigade will be based in Kandahar province, the birthplace of the Taliban, whose fighters now fuel the insurgency. The area was a focal point of a surge of U.S. forces in Afghanistan several years ago." according to The Seattle Times, which reported about their deployment.

These troops will be in one of the most dangerous provinces in Afghanistan! Let's show them some support as they begin their tour of duty in service of their country! CLICK BELOW TO SEND PACKAGES!

There are other units shipping out from other areas of the country too! These troops also need our help! Please take note and send a package of support to our troops serving bravely overseas!

Over 150 troops are shipping out of Billings, Montana. for a tour of duty in Afghanistan. Troops from the 484th Military Police Company will be on their first deployment.

More than 60 soldiers from the Idaho Army National Guard will soon be deploying to Afghanistan after a short training mission in Texas to prepare.

Our brave troops deploying now deserve our gratitude and support! They will be fighting for our sake in Afghanistan for the next 9-12 months to defeat the Taliban and Al Qaeda.

Please support our troops and their worthy mission by sending care packages now!

“The fishing just keeps getting better and better,” said National Guard pro Jonathan Newton of Rogersville, Ala. “The bass have mostly spawned out right now because of the warm winter, so it is going to be a post-spawn deal. There are still a few fish spawning, but most have started to pull out onto ledges.

“The great thing about Guntersville is that you can catch bass so many different ways,” continued Newton. “Fishing ledges and drops with crankbaits and worms should be awesome. If the college kids like to fish shallow, fishing docks is always fun. I like to use a black and blue or brown jig with a green pumpkin or black and blue Zoom Super Chunk. Weights are going to be good; I would expect 15 to 18 pounds to win.”

Anglers will take off from Val-Monte Lakeside Resort & Marina located at 7000 Val-Monte Drive in Guntersville, Ala., at 6:30 a.m. Saturday. Weigh-in will be held at the marina beginning at 1:00 p.m. Takeoff and weigh-in are free and open to the public.

Schools competing in the Lake Guntersville tournament, which is being hosted by the Marshall County Convention & Visitors Bureau, include:

Four regular-season qualifying events are held in each conference – Central, Northern, Southeastern, Southern and Western. The top five teams from each qualifying tournament will advance to one of five televised three-day National Guard FLW College Fishing Conference Championships, where the first-place team wins a Ranger 177TR bass boat with a 90-horsepower Evinrude or Mercury outboard. The top five teams from each conference championship advance to the national championship, where the first-place team wins $25,000 for their school and $50,000 cash plus a Ranger 177TR bass boat with a 90-horsepower Evinrude or Mercury outboard for their fishing club.

College Fishing is free to enter and FLW provides boats and drivers for each competing team along with travel allowances. All participants must be registered, full-time undergraduate students at a four-year college or university and members of a fishing club recognized by their college or university.

ABOUT FLW FLW is the industry’s premier tournament-fishing organization, providing unparalleled fishing resources and entertainment to our sponsors, fans and host communities. FLW is offering anglers of all skill levels the opportunity to compete for millions in prize money nationwide in 2012 over the course of 191 tournaments across five tournament circuits, each providing an avenue to the sport’s richest payday and most coveted championship trophy – the Forrest Wood Cup. FLW is committed to providing a lifestyle experience that is the “Best in Fishing, On and Off the Water,” through a variety of platforms including tournaments, outdoor expos and the world’s richest fantasy sports game – FLW Fantasy Fishing. For more information about FLW and FLW Fantasy Fishing, visit FLWOutdoors.com or FantasyFishing.com and look for FLW on Twitter and Facebook.

(HealthNewsDigest.com) - At toddlerhood, growth slows down and personality revs up. The combination can result in a stubborn munchkin with a much smaller appetite. This alarms many new parents who have been dealing with a hungry infant up to now. Though a smaller appetite and stubborn behavior is a fact for most toddlers, there is some truth to the poor eating myth.

In a study of more than 3,000 infants and toddlers some alarming facts emerged about what young children are actually eating. The transition to table food sets the stage for eating patterns that will continue as a child grows. The study showed a number of diet deficits.

Over 20% of toddlers surveyed ate no vegetables on any given day. By 14 months French fries were the most commonly eaten vegetable. Over 20% of toddlers also ate no fruits daily. Most toddlers surveyed drank over 9 ounces of juice and 10% of the sample drank more than 14 ounces each day. Even if it is 100% juice and not a fruit drink, this is a very concentrated source of energy (calories) that will crowd out more healthy food. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends no more than 4 to 6 ounces of juice a day for children through the age of 6.

The fiber intake of all toddlers was very low. Only 1% of children met the recommendation for fiber intake. This makes sense if few fruits and vegetables are eaten and little whole grain food is offered. The American Academy of Pediatrics suggest adding 5 to a child’s age (+7 for a 2 year old) to get an estimate of how many grams of fiber per day a child should eat. For 1 to 3 year old children this is about 8 to 10 grams a day.

The study also showed that for some toddlers soda, fruit drinks and sweets replaced milk. Over 25% ate presweetened cereal. Chicken and turkey were the number one meat choices served, but hotdogs, sausages and deli meats came in second.

Bottom line: as toddlers got older they ate more calorie-dense, nutrient-poor foods. When given the opportunity, many picked sweets and sweetened drinks, shifting their tastes away from natural food flavors.

What can be done to solve some of these poor eating patterns? Let’s begin by setting up some lines of responsibility. As the parent, you are responsible for providing the type of food your child should eat. The toddler is responsible for eating and deciding how much to eat. This is obviously easier said than done. Forget what you see on the supermarket shelves and concentrate on good food choices. You could never walk down the baby food aisle and your child would still be well fed. In some cases, he might be fed better.

Children need to be exposed to foods many times before eating. It can take up to 8 to 15 exposures before acceptance. Parents usually give up after 3 to 5 “I don’t want it.” pleas from a toddler. Offer new foods one at a time, offer them frequently and don’t expect your child to eat something you won’t.

Switch to whole grain breads. You don’t need to buy 12-grain chewy varieties. Select soft 100% whole wheat or white whole wheat. Both have sweet nutty flavors that the whole family can enjoy. This simple change immediately boosts fiber intake. Select sweets like graham crackers, raisins and unsweetened or lightly sweetened fruit sauces. Eat fruit. Many toddlers love blueberries, strawberries, bananas and orange sections. When they have teeth, gnawing on a small apple or pear is fun. Most will dive into watermelon with relish. Toddlers who have been primed on overly sweet snacks will take time to adjust to these newer more subtle sweet flavors.

If your home was previously stocked with too many sweets, just don’t buy them any longer. You are in charge. At first there will be protests but in time change will occur. Let them top a healthier cereal, like plain cornflakes or Cheerios, with a scoop of the sweetened cereal they love. Or, use the sweetened cereal in place of candy. All ready-to-eat cereals, even those highly sweetened, are based in a grain (sometimes a whole grain), low in fat, and fortified with vitamins and minerals. When stacked up against cookies or a candy bar, sweetened cereal is a better choice. Use it as a dessert or an on-the-go snack instead of a breakfast choice.

Instead of sweet drinks choose water. Make the water readily available. Fill a lidded cup and place it on the highchair tray or in a convenient place in the kitchen so your toddler can reach it and take a sip whenever they wish.

Fayette has been chosen to star in a national broadcast of Today In America with Terry Bradshaw, a television series that informs viewers on a variety of topics, trends and relevant issues impacting our nation and the world. On Tuesday, April 24, 2012, the film crew will be in Fayette for 10 hours to record enough film footage to adequately represent Fayette to other communities throughout the country; showing why our community is one of the “Best Hidden Gems Places for Live, Work and Play in the 21st Century."

Part of the video will include shots of the downtown area and the city park. I am inviting as many of you as possible to be part of this production by "acting" as "extras" during the filming. The timing is tentative but is as close to accurate as possible at this point:

Between 9:30 and 11:30 AM, they will be filming the downtown area... around the courthouse, city hall, Robbie's, etc. Join us by parking your vehicle in that area and getting out and walking around and shopping in the stores. You are apt to be a star in the final production!

Between 2:30 and 3:30 PM, we need people and families at Guthrie Smith Park. If you are there, we will be sure you are filmed; either on the playground area or around the lake. We'll find you!

This is an exciting opportunity for Fayette and a chance for you to start your film career! If you can be in either place at the listed times, we truly appreciate your participation.

Mayor Ray Nelson

Posted: 2012-04-20 10:05:00 | Last Updated: 2012-04-20 10:05:00

Listen To WLDX On Your Smart Phone or IPAD!!

By WLDX

Did you know you can listen to WLDX on your IPhone or Ipad? Just downlaod the Shoutcast App and search for WLDX and add it to your favorite list. Never again will you miss a show while away from your computer. Do it Today!

Posted: 2012-04-11 10:48:00 | Last Updated: 2012-04-11 10:48:00

The Sad Saga Of 'Pink Slime' - You Can't Fix Stupid

By WLDX

(HealthNewsDigest.com) - In his famous 1859 work On Liberty, Utilitarian philosopher John Stuart Mill was emphatic in his support of free speech, so long as it did not cause harm to another person. As you might expect, people have debated the meaning of "harm" in this context ever since.

While so-called Yellow Journalism—as popularized by media barons William Randolph Hearst and Joseph Pulitzer—has been blamed for such things as our entry into the Spanish-American War and the assassination of President William McKinley, there is no shortage of unassailable examples of irresponsible reporting causing real harm to real people.

One of the best-remembered examples is the notorious 1921 case of silent movie star Roscoe "Fatty" Arbuckle and alleged rape and homicide victim Virginia Rappé. As many are unaware even today, Arbuckle was completely innocent of the charges against him, and had to suffer through three trials at the hands of San Francisco District Attorney Matthew Brady, who knew quite well that his key witness was lying. It was at the third trial that Arbuckle was actually proclaimed innocent by the jury.

Indeed, Judge Sylvain J. Lazarus was tempted to drop all charges from the first, and probably would have done so, but for the outrageously mendacious and sensationalistic coverage of the story by Hearst's San Francisco Examiner, that whipped up public hysteria and facilitated the fraudulent prosecution. Hearst would brag later that he had sold more newspapers on the Arbuckle case than on the sinking of the Lusitania.

In fact, Rappé was not raped or murdered at all. She died of a ruptured bladder (not related to an external source) with signs of acute peritonitis. Arbuckle's career would never recover—much less his health. His cause was defended by fellow comic Buster Keaton, while actor William S. Hart—who had never worked with Arbuckle—jumped on the bandwagon and made statements against him.

Surely, 91 years after the Arbuckle affair, the American public is far too sophisticated to fall for such gross misrepresentation by the media, right? Wrong. If anything, the public is more clueless now than in 1921, if you consider the present day's ease of access to unlimited information on virtually any topic, and how this should make a big difference in its understanding of current events—but doesn't.

Case in point: The Pink Slime affair.

"Pink Slime" is the not-so-complimentary term given to what the beef industry calls lean, finely textured beef. This product is made from trimmings left over after carcasses are cut into steaks or roasts. A centrifuge separates the lean beef from the fat, creating a fabricated product that is more than 95 percent lean. The meat is treated with a mist of ammonium hydroxide (long approved for such use by the FDA), to prevent or eliminate bacteria.

The textured beef process has been approved by the FDA since the early 1990s and raised little controversy until a few weeks ago, when the social media went viral over its depiction as "pink slime," by ABC News and food activist Jamie Oliver. As it happens, the images Oliver used on his "reality" TV show were not of the beef product in question. Rather, they were of a chicken product, but who cares if the real "reality" here is to simply boost ratings?

Based on this media hysteria, plants have already been closed, and hundreds of jobs have been eliminated. Listen to Russell Cross, head of the Department of Animal Science at Texas A&M University, and a former administrator of USDA's Food Safety and Inspection Service:

Although there are some who call for labeling this safe and nutritious food product, the fact is, the USDA recognizes that this product is what it is: 100% beef. There is no need for labeling LFTB—because nothing is being added that is not beef.

What the public needs to know is that because of this situation, about 13 pounds of quality beef per animal now will be wasted. We'd need to raise an additional 1.5 million cattle each year to make up for this loss. The price of the raw material for ground beef has increased more than 15% in the past few weeks. Guess who will get to pay for the increase? The consumer.

Nancy Donley, president of STOP Foodborne Illness lost her son Alex to a 1993 outbreak of E. coli O157:H7. She recently weighed in on the pink slime nonsense...

Consumers need to understand that this product is meat, period, and that the use of ammonia hydroxide in minute amounts during processing improves the safety of the product and is routinely used throughout the food industry. There are many types of interventions including food-grade antimicrobial sprays which are used on all manner of foods.

I am very concerned that mis-categorization campaigns such as this "pink slime" campaign will cause well-intentioned companies such as BPI (one of the manufacturers of LFTB) to cease innovations for developing better food safety technologies and strategies. Why try to do something better only to get set up as a target? If this does in fact happen, and promising technologies get thwarted, we, the American public, will be the losers. And tragedies like Alex will continue to go on and on and on.

Doug Mead was a systems technician at one of the closed plants, who condemns the negative media coverage. "This 'pink slime' thing is a joke," Mead said. "But you can't fix stupid."

Truck drivers of Winfield, Ala.-based R.L. Box receive nearly $63,000 in back wages and benefits following US Department of Labor investigation US Postal Service contractor violated McNamara-O’Hara Service Contract Act

By WLDX

WINFIELD, Ala. – The U.S. Department of Labor has recovered $62,836 in back wages and benefits for 31 truck drivers employed by Winfield-based R.L. Box Inc. following an investigation by the department’s Wage and Hour Division that found violations of the prevailing wage rate and fringe benefit requirements of the McNamara-O’Hara Service Contract Act as well as the record-keeping provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act.

R.L. Box has a federal service contract with the U.S. Postal Service to transport bulk mail to mail centers in Alabama and Mississippi. In lieu of providing the actual fringe benefits, the contractor elected to pay for those benefits as part of employees’ hourly rates. The violations resulted in a total of $17,064 in fringe benefits owed to 31 employees and $45,772 in unpaid prevailing wages owed to 29 of those same employees.

“The terms of federally funded contracts are clear and well-established in the bidding process and upon award of a contract. Federal contractors must comply with these terms and pay their workers proper prevailing wages and benefits. These vital requirements are in place to protect the wage rates of local communities and provide quality jobs for our nation’s workers,” said Kenneth Stripling, director of the Wage and Hour Division’s Birmingham District Office, which conducted the investigation. “The Labor Department is committed to ensuring that taxpayer dollars are used properly by companies performing work for the federal government and, as demonstrated by the resolution of this case, we are vigorously pursuing violators to ensure compliance and accountability under the law.”

Through conducting interviews and reviewing records of actual hours worked, holiday and vacation hours, and regular rates of pay, investigators determined that the employer had failed to count all hours worked and pay the required prevailing wage rate, because most drivers were not paid for pre-trip inspections of their vehicles or the training time required to learn mail routes. Additionally, drivers were not paid the full increase in their hourly rates when the Postal Service made increases in its wage and health and welfare rates, the cost of fuel was deducted from a worker’s pay in one instance, the wrong health and welfare rates were paid for all hours worked up to 40 a week, holiday pay was not provided to drivers until they had worked with the contractor for at least a year, the health and welfare rate was not paid on holiday hours for part-time or intermittent workers, and vacation pay was not provided to part-time or intermittent workers.

The back wages owed have been in full. The employer agreed to maintain future compliance with the SCA and committed to maintaining accurate records of employees’ full work periods, paying accurate prevailing wages and benefits for all hours worked, making timely and correct payments into employees’ retirement funds, and providing holiday and vacation pay as required under the contract.

The SCA requires that contractors and subcontractors performing services on covered federal contracts in excess of $2,500 must pay their service workers no less than the wages and fringe benefits prevailing in the locality, or rates contained in a predecessor contractor’s collective bargaining agreement. The FLSA requires employers to keep accurate records of employees’ hours, pay and other working conditions.

For more information about the SCA, FLSA and other federal labor laws, call the Wage and Hour Division’s toll-free helpline at 866-4US-WAGE (487-9243) or its Birmingham office at 205-397-7100. Information also is available at http://www.dol.gov/whd.

Posted: 2012-04-02 11:09:00 | Last Updated: 2012-04-02 11:09:00

Help For Your Best Lawn And Yard Ever

By WLDX

(HealthNewsDigest.com) - There’s good news for homeowners who want the grass to grow greener on their side of the fence.

Throughout May, lawn, garden and equipment experts will provide free, one-on-one advice on everything from how to control pests and finally win the battle against weeds to troubleshooting a lawn mower that won’t start.

“We’ll help everyone who calls and take as long as necessary to get homeowners the answers they need,” says Trey Rogers, an internationally known expert on lawn and yard care and leader of the hotline, which is sponsored by Briggs & Stratton Corporation.

For example, if your grass is brown or dying where it should be green, he advises, there may be a simple solution.

1. Can you blame it on the dog? The nitrogen in dog urine can burn your lawn and cause a widespread brown patch problem. You can create a special gravel or mulch area and train Fido to go there.

2. Is your mower blade dull? Dull blades tear rather than cleanly cut the grass, which can weaken and damage the lawn. Have the blade sharpened once a year.

3. Did you spill fertilizer or overfeed your lawn? Too much fertilizer is a well-known grass-burning culprit. Always follow package instructions when applying fertilizer. If your spreader drops too much in one place, water that spot on the lawn generously.

4. What about too much water? If you overwater or if water pools in certain areas on your lawn, you can drown the grass roots, causing areas to die out. Survey your lawn for dips you want to avoid dousing.

5. How do I grow grass in the shade? In deep shade, put down mulch instead. In partial shade, seed the area in the spring and fall, when leaves don’t block the sunlight.

From May 1 to 31, anyone can get a free online or phone consultation with a lawn, garden or equipment expert on any problem by visiting www.YardSmarts.com or calling 1-866-YARD-TIPS (1-866-927-3847). Photo submissions are welcome if the problem is difficult to describe.

In addition, every Friday during the month of May, experts will be available for livechats to share information more broadly with homeowners. The top lawn and garden questions will be posted on the website, www.yardsmarts.com, where you can also find expert advice and information related to yard care and equipment.

The Yard Smarts Hotline is sponsored by Briggs & Stratton, the largest maker of engines for outdoor power equipment.

If getting your yard in the best shape ever isn’t enough motivation to check out the hotline, the company will give away a $300 gift certificate each week to one homeowner to purchase a new lawn mower or other needed yard care equipment.

Posted: 2012-03-26 10:56:00 | Last Updated: 2012-03-26 10:56:00

Fayette County Primary Election Results

By WLDX

CANDIDATE OF THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY

CANDIDATE OF THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY

FOR PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES

28 of 28 Precincts Reporting Votes Percent

BARACK OBAMA (DEM) 826 41.57%

UNCOMMITTED (DEM) 1,161 58.43%

FOR FAYETTE COUNTY

JUDGE OF PROBATE

28 of 28 Precincts Reporting Votes Percent

WILLIAM OSWALT (DEM) 2,210 76.15%

SCOTT PORTER (DEM) 692 23.85%

FOR MEMBER, FAYETTE

COUNTY COMMISSION, DISTRICT NO. 2

7 of 7 Precincts Reporting Votes Percent

BUDDY E. NORRIS (DEM) 296 69.16%

RANDY PRICE (DEM) 132 30.84%

FOR MEMBER, FAYETTE

COUNTY COMMISSION, DISTRICT NO. 4

7 of 7 Precincts Reporting Votes Percent

VIRGIL KILGORE (DEM) 225 52.45%

TROYCE RAY TOWNSEL (DEM) 204 47.55%

FOR MEMBER, FAYETTE

COUNTY COMMISSION, DISTRICT NO. 5

7 of 7 Precincts Reporting Votes Percent

HUBERT NORRIS (DEM) 221 42.42%

BILLY (Jo Jo) RODGERS (DEM) 300 57.58%

FOR MEMBER, FAYETTE

COUNTY COMMISSION, DISTRICT NO. 6

8 of 8 Precincts Reporting Votes Percent

LEWIS COKER (DEM) 210 33.55%

JOHN UNDERWOOD (DEM) 416 66.45%

CANDIDATE OF THE REPUBLICAN

PARTY FOR PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES

28 of 28 Precincts Reporting Votes Percent

MICHELE BACHMANN (REP) 3 0.16%

NEWT GINGRICH (REP) 559 30.23%

JON HUNTSMAN (REP) 4 0.22%

RON PAUL (REP) 71 3.84%

RICK PERRY (REP) 14 0.76%

MITT ROMNEY (REP) 416 22.50%

RICK SANTORUM (REP) 760 41.10%

UNCOMMITTED (REP) 22 1.19%

FOR CHIEF JUSTICE OF THE

SUPREME COURT - REP

28 of 28 Precincts Reporting Votes Percent

CHARLIE GRADDICK (REP) 225 14.13%

CHUCK MALONE (REP) 266 16.71%

ROY MOORE (REP) 1,101 69.16%

FOR ASSOCIATE JUSTICE OF

THE SUPREME COURT, PLACE NO. 1 - REP

28 of 28 Precincts Reporting Votes Percent

TOMMY BRYAN (REP) 887 69.03%

DEBRA H. JONES (REP) 398 30.97%

FOR PRESIDENT, PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION - REP

28 of 28 Precincts Reporting Votes Percent

CHIP BROWN (REP) 380 27.46%

TWINKLE ANDRESS CAVANAUGH (REP) 649 46.89%

KATHY PETERSON (REP) 355 25.65%

FOR MEMBER, STATE BOARD

OF EDUCATION,

DISTRICT NO. 7 - REP

28 of 28 Precincts Reporting Votes Percent

DAVID L. BLACK (REP) 364 25.30%

JEFF NEWMAN (REP) 1,075 74.70%

FOR FAYETTE COUNTY JUDGE OF PROBATE

28 of 28 Precincts Reporting Votes Percent

STEPHEN GENE FULMER (REP) 998 64.35%

VAN CLARK GRAVLEE (REP) 553 35.65%

FOR MEMBER, FAYETTE COUNTY

BOARD OF EDUCATION, DISTRICT 1

8 of 8 Precincts Reporting Votes Percent

BELINDA LANGLEY WATTS (DEM) 405 88.24%

MISTY ZOLMAN (DEM) 54 11.76%

Posted: 2012-03-14 10:09:00 | Last Updated: 2012-03-14 12:54:00

WLDX Encourages Everyone To Go Vote Tuesday March 13th!

By WLDX

WLDX wishes to encourage everyone to go out and vote for the candidate of your choice. Polls open at 7 am and close at 7 pm. WLDX will broadcast the results live Tuesday night around 7:30 pm when boxes start rolling in.

Posted: 2012-03-12 15:25:00 | Last Updated: 2012-03-12 15:25:00

My Kids HATE Vegetables!

By WLDX

(HealthNewsDigest.com) - I’ve heard this again and again. It is true that kids may not always prefer vegetables, but HATE is a rather strong word. I’ve met 2-year olds who love broccoli and snack on tomato slices. How can this be you ask? It happens by exposure, guidance and parental support. It doesn’t happen overnight and no kid embraces vegetables at every meal, everyday.

Our kids’ palates are being dumbed down by salty, sugary and fatty foods. Once they get used to these strong, pronounced tastes, fresh fruits aren’t sweet enough and vegetables taste too bitter. Ideally, you need to start very young. As babies are transitioning from an all milk diet to solid foods, introduce a wide variety of colors and flavors. Older infants and young toddlers, who are just beginning to self-feed, can have fun with soft-cooked broccoli flowers and peas that roll. The experiments will be messy at first and there will be more food smashed than chewed, but it is worth the effort. These early experiences are introducing the true flavor of foods, not salted, buttered or fried.

Parents often introduce juice too early in amounts that far exceed what is recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics. In truth, kids don’t need any juice. Water is a perfect beverage for hydration and using fruits instead of juice teaches children about the subtle sweetness of fresh fruits. Fruits also take longer to eat, offer more satisfaction from chewing, and provide fiber and needed nutrients not found in juice. Cut up grapes, watermelon cubes, blueberries, strawberries, apple slices, orange wedges, banana spears and raisins are all great choices for young kids. Fruit leathers, yogurt covered fruit bits, and chocolate covered raisins are neither necessary nor as healthy as the real fruit. That is not to say that these can’t be eaten on occasion. Any food is okay once in a blue moon but on a daily basis stick with the real thing.

Vegetables are tough because young children have a more pronounced sense of bitter than adults. And, some children fall into the group of supertasters, where the bitter is unpleasantly pronounced. Let’s start with what not to do. Never force a kid to eat vegetables. If they refuse vegetables at dinner offer an alternative that is simple and requires no preparation – a banana, some strawberries, a handful of raisins, or applesauce. Fruits offer many of the same nutrients found in vegetables and can be an acceptable substitution.

Children need repeated exposure to food to accept it. Some experts believe that a child needs to see and touch a food as many as 8 to 10 times before they will taste it. Put a piece of broccoli on their plate. If they don’t eat it, fine. But, don’t take it away. Over time this repeated exposure may result in eating. Don’t expect your child to eat broccoli, however, if you or your husband have none on your plates. In all cultures kids eat what their parents eat and it is rare to find a kid who is a better eater than their parents. What you do counts!

Many children will eat raw vegetables rather than cooked. Fresh carrots, green beans, broccoli, tomatoes, celery sticks, and pepper slices are all raw options that are packed with vitamins, minerals and fiber. Vegetables are also nutrient dense – you get a nutrition powerhouse for a minimal calorie intake. This is a lifelong key to weight management.

Another way to entice vegetable eating is to offer a dip. A small puddle of low fat or no fat dressing is fun and blunts the bitter taste of some vegetables. In a study with preschoolers, when offered vegetables with dip, the kids ate 80% more veggies than the group who were given no dip. Nonfat yogurt mixed with Italian dressing or a touch of honey is another option that often results in more veggies eaten.

To engage adventurous eaters, make your children part of the entire shopping and cooking process. Even toddlers can help you select bananas and tomatoes at the store. Teach them that the yellow bananas are sweeter than green ones and firm tomatoes taste yummy. Get your child a stool and an apron so they can be your cooking assistant. Even 2 to 3 year olds can peel bananas, stir batters, place cut up vegetables in a pot, grease pans with cooking spray, open packages, and tear apart lettuce. Your child is more likely to eat something he has helped to buy and cook.

Ellyn Satter, a registered dietitian, clinical social worker, and expert on feeding children has devised a division of responsibility in feeding that all parents should embrace. Parents choose what, when and where to eat. Children choose how much and whether to eat. Refusing to eat a meal or a certain food is not a sin. Everyone’s appetite and tastes vary. Respect your child and they will do their job and eat.

All Fayette County schools will close today, March 2, 2012 at 12 noon.

Posted: 2012-03-02 09:45:00 | Last Updated: 2012-03-02 08:47:00

Ten of 14 Community Storm Shelters Now Available

By WLDX

Ten of the 14 community storm shelters will be available today in the event of severe weather. The ones that will be available are: Bankston/Stough Volunteer Fire Department (VFD) Boley VFD Fowler's Crossroads VFD Glen Allen Community Center Hubbertville VFD Lawrence Mill Area Mt. Vernon VFD Walnut Lane/Newtonville Community Center Pleasant Grove Community Fayette Multipurpose Complex

These are the ONLY community shelters that will be available today.

Posted: 2012-03-02 08:06:00 | Last Updated: 2012-03-02 08:06:00

RUNNING FOR OFFICE? WANT TO REACH OVER 30,000 LISTENERS?

By WLDX

Your HOMETOWN RADIO STATION delivers your message to thousands each day at half the cost of newspaper advertising.

Let Fayette County HEAR your message and why they should VOTE for you!

It's simple, WLDX helps you create the commercial.

Call today. LET US GO TO WORK FOR YOU!

Steve Dean-205-270-2456 or email to sdean@watvc.com

Joe Redker-205-442-3976 or email to jredker@wldx.com

Posted: 2012-02-14 11:47:00 | Last Updated: 2012-02-14 11:07:00

Valentine's Day - One Man's Epiphany

By WLDX

(HealthNewsDigest.com)...Ok Guys, there is just one of three gifts to buy today and none of them will break the bank, and any one of them will make you a Hero in the eye's of the one you love! And, some advice that can keep you out of trouble! - (Michael J. McCurdy, Founder/Publisher - HealthNewsDigest.com)

Gift # 1. That God awful romance card that we all cringe at when trying to buy it. You know the one's I mean. Look left, look right, and when you're sure no one is looking, stick it in the envelope that it comes with so that the clerk has to pull it out just so far to see the price. Most of us guy's hate reading these cards, but whatever, women really love em'. I guess they really know how tough it was for us to buy it! You can get a real mushy one for about $3.00.

Gift # 2. A Heart Shaped box of chocolates. A sure fire winner! "Oh no...not Chocolates! You didn't buy me chocolates, did you?" "I can't eat them...they'll make me fat!" That's what she'll say, while she's thinking..."I wonder where I can hide them so I don't have to share!" Just remember to tell her that dark chocolate is proven to be a great antioxidant...good for her heart! I just checked in my local drug store, and you can buy a Whitman Sampler for $6.95. That's a great price, and a sure-to-please gift.

Gift # 3. Red Roses. The Ultimate Killer! Some women may find the Love Card as corny as you. Some will complain that the chocolate will make them fat (although they won't share with anyone), but there is not a woman alive who doesn't melt when you give her roses :) Here in New York, you can get a dozen roses for about $20.00 or less. Shop early.

Now, for all of you guy's who are trying to get up the courage to buy your lover beautiful black or red lingerie ... Don't Do It ... Unless...unless you remember the film "Working Girl" when Alec Baldwin buys Melanie Griffith a matching set of black bra and panties for her birthday, and what she said to him upon opening the box and holding up the panties, "Oh Good, you got me another gift for you!"

A number of year's ago, I was having an after work cocktail with a business acquaintance of mine, when the conversation turned to Valentine's day, which was just a couple of days in the future. After we exchanged gift idea's and a few laughs, he said to me, "Would you like to hear a great Valentine's Day story?" "Of course I would" I replied.

As he began, a pleasant smile formed his face, "Well, about ten years ago, I was dating this really pretty girl, and I really liked her a lot, and I just assumed that the feeling was mutual. So, on Valentine's Day, I went over to her apartment to pick her up for dinner and a movie. But, I brought along with me, a card, a box of chocolates, a dozen roses, a bottle of champagne, AND, a matching set of black bra and panties with pink ribbons on the bra straps and on the hips of the panties!" His grin was now bigger than his face.

"My God, how did she react?"

"Well, after she thanked me for all of the present's, she was very pleased by the way, she got to the little white box with the red ribbons." "And what's this?" she said smiling sheepishly.

"I must admit that I got embarrassed at this point, but what the hell I thought. Well she opened the box, and with her forefinger and thumb she held up the panties, just like your Mother would do if she caught you with a Playboy magazine or something. No smile, nothing. "You don't think I'm gonna put these on for you, do you?"

"I was almost hoping that she wouldn't pull the bra out of the box, but of course she did. I felt so stupid at that moment."

She put them back in the box, and said to me, "I'd better go put these away in the closet. I'll be right back."

So she yells out to me from her bedroom "Hey, it's getting late, think we can still make the movie?"

"Sure" I yell out to her. I look up and there she is in the doorway with the bra and panties on, AND, black high heels, with a rose in her teeth!"

As he says this, he is now looking up to the sky, in a place all his own, with a very satisfied and confident grin on his face. I could hear him murmuring under his breath..."I'll never forget it as long as I live." He turned to look at me...that was the end of his story. He wasn't going any further.

"Mike, I felt like a horse had just kicked me in the chest. I was totally out of breath, and standing there like the village idiot, mouth open, eyes bulging. I actually think she took pity on me."

"Whatever happened to her?" I asked. He took a sip from his drink, then turned to me with a serious expression. Then he almost yelled it at me, "I Married Her!"

He started to reach into his jacket to pull out his wallet, as we were both getting a really good laugh, the kind that all people in a bar or restaurant want to join in on, even though they don't know what you're talking about. He showed me a picture of a pretty woman and two adorable young girls...his family. "You're a lucky man, Bob." "Don't I know it" he said as he started to put on his coat to leave.

"So, what are you doing this Valentine's Day?" I asked him. "We do the same thing every year, but now we have to get a baby sitter." His grin was the kind that one man gives to another when you want to one up him.

A word to the wise: If you're going to buy your girlfriend or wife lingerie make sure you get the right size! If they're too small, you're not going to get the runway treatment. If they're too large, may God be with you and protect you!

Oh yeah, If you're wondering, St. Valentine actually was a Roman who was martyred and died on February 14, 269 A.D. for refusing to give up his practice of Christianity. I wonder if Bob knows this? :)

President and First Lady Host Dinner Honoring Troops Who Served in Iraq

By WLDX

On Wednesday, February 29, President Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama will host a dinner at the White House to honor our Armed Forces who served in Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation New Dawn and to honor their families. This dinner --- an expression of the nation's gratitude for the achievements and enormous sacrifices of the brave Americans who served in the Iraq War and of the families who supported them --- will include men and women in uniform from all ranks, services, states and backgrounds, representative of the many thousands of Americans who served in Iraq. The White House has been working with military and civilian leaders from the Department of Defense on this tribute, and will release more details regarding the dinner when they are available.

Posted: 2012-02-06 13:53:00 | Last Updated: 2012-02-06 13:53:00

The Arc of Fayette, Lamar, and Marengo Counties In Need of Donations

By WLDX

Although Alabama Gives Day was designated as February 2, 2012, the ARC is still accepting donations on the Alabama Gives Day website. The ARC of Fayette/Lamar/Marengo Counties expresses sincere appreciation for donations from the leaders in the community to support the services provided to people with developmental disabilities. The agency received $875 directly from leaders in the Fayette community to assist the agency with its project to raise money to provide a sprinkler system for the day program services. These services benefit 34 people with disabilities that live in homes supported by the ARC and/or with their relatives in the community. Others can provide support directly through the office located at 1428 Temple Avenue South. The contact number is 205-932-7867. You can also donate by clicking on this website http://algives.razoo.com/story/Arc-Of-Fayette-And-Lamar-County or mail it to the The ARc, 1428 South Temple Ave, Fayette, AL 35555. Donate today!

Posted: 2012-02-02 14:59:00 | Last Updated: 2012-02-03 08:14:00

One day. One massive opportunity to support Alabama nonprofits!

By WLDX

February 2nd is your opportunity to join thousands of Alabamians in being part of a history making event that aims to raise millions of dollars for hundreds of Alabama nonprofits in just 24 hours. Inspired by other Gives Days in the nation, Alabama Gives Day provides nonprofits an opportunity to showcase the impact of the incredible work they do that helps improve the quality of life for everyone in our state.

Every donation matters. Whether you have a favorite cause or not, we encourage you to explore the many missions of our participating nonprofits and help show Alabama's unparalleled generosity to the world by making your tax-deductible gift on February 2nd, 2012.

The Fayette City Council wishes to inform all parties that are running for office that there should be no campaign signs on City of Fayette property, eight of ways, utility poles and street signs. Signs may be placed on private property with the permission of the property owner. A right-of-way is the property in front and beside a utility pole. Private property is the property behind the utility pole. Please do not place campaign signs on the listed property. All signs will be removed from the City of Fayette property, street signs, right-of-ways and utility poles beginning Monday, January 30th. Campaign signs removed will be stored at the City shop.

Posted: 2012-01-16 10:09:00 | Last Updated: 2012-01-16 10:09:00

Bevill State Scholarship Deadline Fast Approaching

By WLDX

Press ReleaseThe deadline for Bevill State Community College Scholarship applications for the 2012-2013 academic year is fast approaching as the February 1st date nears.

“Students are the key to our success,” said Dr. Kim Ennis, Dean of Students. “It is our goal at Bevill State to help students in west Alabama reach their highest potential, and one way we can serve them is by offering a very competitive scholarship program.”

For those interested in applying for a BSCC scholarship, applications are available from area high school guidance counselors, at Bevill State’s Office of Student Services and on the college’s Web site. The deadline to return applications is February 1st.

For more information on any of these scholarship programs, contact the BSCC Financial Assistance Office at 1-800-648-3271. ﻿

Posted: 2012-01-06 14:13:00 | Last Updated: 2012-01-06 14:13:00

University Of Alabama Crimsonette, LeeAnn Davis, to offer Twirling Class at Bevill State Community College

By WLDX

Bevill State Community College Fayette Campus will be offering a baton twirling class taught by University of Alabama Crimsonette LeeAnn Davis beginning on January 12th through May 3rd. The class will be for grades K-8th, beginning with the fundamentals of twirling and progressing as the class continues.

“We are so proud to be offering this class at Bevill State. Girls in this area have been recognized for their twirling skills for years and we are happy to keep the tradition going!” says Daphne McCabe, Director of Continuing Education at Bevill State Community College.

If your child is interested in participating and you would like more information, please contact The Bevill State Community College Business Office at 205-932-3221 Ext. 5110. Registration will be $40 per month. The class will be held every Thursday from 6:45-7:45 in The Bevill State Community College Gym on the Fayette Campus.

Posted: 2012-01-06 14:01:00 | Last Updated: 2012-01-06 14:01:00

Pursuit is on as Saban is now chasing Miles

By WLDX

The explanation to LSU fans was written less than two weeks after the end of the 2009 season, almost two years to the day from the Tigers' most recent national championship.

One of the reasons for his blog, as LSU athletic director Joe Alleva says, is that he wants to leave no room for interpretation. And there was no denying the message.

What's going on now isn't good enough. The man in charge will fix it.

Or else.

The summer after Alleva fired a not so subtle warning signal to Tigers coach Les Miles, the man in the crosshairs summed up the win-or-walk philosophy of big-time college football: "You'd like to think that you could enjoy the best five-year run at our school."

The coach who wins reaps the rewards. The coach who loses falls behind and feels the pressure--and one day wakes up to see an open letter from his athletic director calming the masses (and fanning the flames of the hot seat) after a nine-win season.

"I want to make it clear that LSU is committed to having a football program that regularly plays for championships," Alleva wrote. "LSU had a nice season in 2009 with nine wins and a New Year's Day bowl game. On the other hand, being 'nice' is not our annual goal."

Bang!

Yet as bad as it looked then, check out now: That's Saban, the coach who has reenergized the Alabama program, chasing Miles two seasons after winning the national championship. And for the first time since Miles arrived in Baton Rouge in 2005 to replace Saban (who had left for the Miami Dolphins), Miles has a chance to erase the memories of Saban's championship season on the Bayou.

That, and the large shadow that has enveloped Miles' since Day 1.

"Those comparisons will always be there; it's natural," LSU offensive lineman T-Bob Hebert says. "But this is his team. Always has been. We've always known what we've had here with Coach Miles. I think everyone else is finally starting to understand it."

All it took was a season for the ages, a season in which LSU overcame every possible obstacle to roll over everything in its path--including Saban and Alabama in the biggest game of the season. But that November overtime victory in Tuscaloosa now means nothing.

Dead ahead on the radar is another game between LSU and Alabama, between Saban and Miles, between leading and chasing. The best rivalry in the college game is also the best rivalry between coaches.

Nick Saban, the meticulous and maniacal Nicktator. And Les Miles, the unorthodox and unthinkable--and wonderfully quotable--one.

"Completely different guys," says one SEC coach, "in every way imaginable."

Maybe that's why it took so long for the LSU faithful to embrace Miles, to fully comprehend the how and why of a strangely unique and oddly unafraid coach. Even after Miles won that national title in 2007--and the legend of his gambling and goofy ways on the field was born--there were still those in Tiger Nation who believe he won the game's ultimate prize because Saban set the table a few years earlier.

Those rumblings got worse when Miles followed seasons of 11, 11 and 12 victories with back-to-back 8-5 and 9-4 finishes. In other words, when Saban's players from Saban's recruiting dried up, so did Miles' success.

It also didn't help that Saban returned to the college game in 2007 with the Tide and a year later forged an unbeaten regular season (beating LSU) before losing to Florida in the SEC championship game. Then, a year later, won it all.

LSU, meanwhile, was losing to Ole Miss (twice), stumbling around with clock management issues and watching a quarterback throw 16 passes for interceptions, six for touchdowns. While Saban was talking about his "process" to build and maintain a national championship team, Miles was explaining why he couldn't get his field goal unit on the field to attempt a game-tying kick.

"(Miles) never changed who he was no matter what happened," LSU guard Will Blackwell says. "Sometimes things don't work out like they're planned."

And sometimes they do. When Alabama arrived in Baton Rouge in 2010, the Tide controlled their destiny in the race to defend their national championship. Beat LSU--which now appeared a foregone conclusion, especially to beaten down LSU fans--and the road was clear.

Then Miles got the biggest win of his career (even bigger than winning it all in 2007). A year later, LSU traveled to Tuscaloosa for the Game of the Century and won there, too.

So while Alabama was begging poll voters not to forget its team, while the Tide needed several teams to lose over the final month of the season to get into contention to play for the national title without winning their own division, LSU got better and better. The Tigers cruise into the big game having won their final four games by a combined 177-39. Since Miles increased his advantage over Saban to 3-2, he has only gotten better.

Next Monday in New Orleans--where LSU's previous two national titles were won--Miles can make it 4-2. Or they'll be tied at 3.

Either way, one of these two giants in coaching will have the edge over the other--at least for now.

"This certainly isn't about the Alabama coach and I," Miles says. "This is about two teams getting ready to play for the big prize. It's my job to get our team ready to play."

Not string together nice seasons.

﻿

Posted: 2012-01-02 14:06:00 | Last Updated: 2012-01-02 14:06:00

Winner of the WLDX's $500 Christmas Bucks!

By WLDX

Congratulations to Dean Maddox! He was the lucky WINNER of the WLDX's $500 Christmas Bucks!

Again, a word of thanks to all the particpating businesses in this years event!

Remember folks shop Fayette first!

Posted: 2011-12-23 09:26:00 | Last Updated: 2011-12-23 09:26:00

Winners that won at participating businesses of the $500 Christmas Buck!

By WLDX

Congratulations to the lucky winners at the following businesses that participated in this years $500 Christmas Bucks!

L & R Express Food Mart Shirley Fletcher

Charles' Cafeteria Opal Hollingsworth

Feed My Sheep Carol Dubois

Standard Furniture Jacob Dubielak

Fayette Grain & Feed Eddie Campbell

Collins Furniture Earl Hobson

Bolling Pharmacy Glen Johnson

Lawrence Farm & Lumber Tommy Smith

KFC / Taco Bell Sandy Holliman

Bynum Outdoor Power Equipment Joe Maddox Sr.

Bynum Olds Glenda Robertson

Austin's Auto Recyclers Geneva Franks

Chic Frills Angie Henson

Shop & Save Martha Stripling

Posted: 2011-12-22 15:23:00 | Last Updated: 2011-12-22 15:23:00

State Troopers Step Up Patrols for Holiday Safety

By WLDX

MONTGOMERY - Enjoy the Christmas and New Year's holidays, but know that Alabama state troopers will be out in force during the season, stepping up enforcement activity in an effort to protect the lives and safety of Alabama motorists.

"This is an exciting time of year, and we want you to really enjoy the holidays with your loved ones, but please make highway safety a priority," said Col. Hugh B. McCall, director of the Alabama Department of Public Safety.

Public Safety's holiday safety initiative includes extra patrols, sobriety checkpoints, line patrols and LIDAR speed detection. Troopers also will target other violations that often contribute to crashes, including speeding, following too closely, driver distraction and improper passing.

In addition, troopers will partner with law enforcement and traffic safety agencies throughout the state and nation to aggressively work to curtail impaired driving. McCall added, "If your holiday celebrations include alcohol, designate a nondrinking driver or make other arrangements to be sure you - and others on the road - get home safely."

This extra enforcement effort is made possible through grant funding provided by the Alabama Department of Transportation and the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs' Law Enforcement/Traffic Safety Section.

The 78-hour Christmas travel period begins at 6 p.m. Friday, Dec. 23, and ends at midnight Monday, Dec. 26. In 2010, five people, including two pedestrians, died in traffic crashes on Alabama roadways during the 78-hour Christmas travel period. Alcohol was a factor in at least one of these deaths, and two of the three vehicle occupants killed were not using seat belts.

The 78-hour New Year's travel period extends from 6 p.m. Friday, Dec. 30, through midnight Monday, Jan. 2, 2012. Last year, 14 people, including five pedestrians, died in traffic crashes in the state during the 78-hour New Year's travel period. At least four of the deaths involved alcohol, and at least five vehicle occupants were not using seat belts.

Posted: 2011-12-20 13:09:00 | Last Updated: 2011-12-20 13:09:00

GEORGIA PACIFIC IS NOW HIRING IN BELK, AL!

By WLDX

Georgia Pacific in Belk, AL is currently hiring for the following positions:

Due to the threat of rainy weather, the Fayette Christmas parade, scheduled for Monday, December 5, has been rescheduled for Monday, December 12 at 5 p.m. The Kiwanis Chili Supper at Charles' Cafeteria, has also been rescheduled for December 12 from 4:30 - 7 p.m.

Posted: 2011-12-02 07:09:00 | Last Updated: 2011-12-02 15:06:00

Fayette County Schools Delayed One Hour on Tuesday

By WLDX

Fayette County Schools will be delayed one hour on Tuesday, November 29.

Posted: 2011-11-28 21:24:00 | Last Updated: 2011-11-28 21:24:00

Christmas In The South Open Houses Continues!

By WLDX

WLDX’s 6th Annual Community Wide…Christmas In The South Open Houses is continuing through Dec. 5th. Make sure to still go to the following sponsors and register to be placed in a drawing to WIN a $100 gas card! Compliments of L & R Express Food Mart! Check out the winners from Friday and Saturdays drawing:

Bolling Pharmacy Famous Gift Basket-Shelia Crowell

Standard Furniture Decorative Flower Arrangement-Carly Hendricks

Collins Furniture Surprise Gift-Zella Whiteside

Feed My Sheep $50 Gift Card-Norma Palsey

Robbie’s Home Accessories Decorative Lamp- Michael Duckworth

Chic Frills $50 Gift Certificate-Dana Gilliam

Debra Porter Formals Rhinestone Jewelry Set-Jean Kizzire

KFC / Taco Bell $50 Gift Card-Rachel Thomas

Lawrence Farm and Lumber Rockwell Shop Series Grinder-Cleburn Whitley

Charles Cafeteria Gallon of Homemade Dressing-Frank McDonald

Bynum Outdoor Power Equipment $50 Gift Certificate-Warren Griffin

Bynum GMC Oil Change-Bruce Ballenger

L & R Express Food Mart A Dr. Pepper Bike-Dean Maddox

48” Cooler-Karen Jo Perkins

48” Cooler-James Traweek

West Alabama Bank A $100 Gift Card-Christine Dubielak

Garrison’s Furniture A Turkey-Carol Gay

Fayette Grain & Feed $50 Gift Certificate-Bobby Watkins

Fisher’s A Northface Jacket valued up to $165-Sabrina Treadway

Treasures A Thomas Kinkade Print-Mary Ann Brock

Robbie’s of Fayette A Pandora Bracelet-Becky Holiday

Critters A Glory House Ornament Personalized-Sabrina Nichols

Posted: 2011-11-21 13:48:00 | Last Updated: 2011-11-21 13:48:00

Christmas In The South Open Houses!

By WLDX

Fun and Winning is around the corner…register at these sponsors for the WLDX’s 6th Annual Community Wide…Christmas In The South Open Houses: Drawing to be Held Nov. 18th & 19th Finale on Dec. 5th

Bolling Pharmacy Famous Gift Basket

Standard Furniture Decorative Flower Arrangement

Collins Furniture Surprise Gift

Feed My Sheep $50 Gift Card

Robbie’s Home Accessories Decorative Lamp

Chic Frills $50 Gift Certificate

Debra Porter Formals Rhinestone Jewelry Set

KFC / Taco Bell $50 Gift Card

Lawrence Farm and Lumber Rockwell Shop Series Grinder

Charles Cafeteria Gallon of Homemade Dressing

Bynum Outdoor Power Equipment $50 Gift Certificate

Bynum GMC Oil Change

L & R Express Food Mart A Dr. Pepper Bike & 2-48” Coolers

West Alabama Bank A $100 Gift Card

Garrison’s Furniture A Turkey

Fayette Grain & Feed $50 Gift Certificate

Fisher’s A Northface Jacket valued up to $165

Treasures A Thomas Kinkade Print

Robbie’s of Fayette A Pandora Bracelet

Critters A Glory House Ornament Personalized

NO STAMP NEEDED…NO SANTA’S TRAIL MAP

Posted: 2011-11-16 12:05:00 | Last Updated: 2011-11-16 11:28:00

AARP Tax Aid VITA Volunteers Are Looking For A Few Volunteers

By WLDX

The AARP Tax aid VITA Volunteers are looking for a few volunteers. We prepare taxes every Friday in Fayette at the Fayette Civic Center.

We start this year on February 3rd and are open every Friday with the exception of April 6th which is Good Friday.

All tax returns are done on laptop computers. All tax aid tax preparers must be certified. Tax Aid classes for certification will start on

January 9th. There are 5 sessions with classes in the morning, and hands on computer training in the afternoon.

If you have never done a tax return don’t worry, we have seasoned workers to help you.

If you would like to help as a greeter we could use you also. No certification is needed to be a greeter.

If you think you might be interested in finding out more about the program, you may call Sam Colburn at 205-932-6445 or

Send an e mail to scolburn@centurytel.net

Posted: 2011-11-14 14:49:00 | Last Updated: 2011-11-14 14:49:00

Fayette DHR Recruiting Foster And Adoptive Families

By WLDX

Fayette County is recruiting foster homes and will be providing foster parents training (GPS) at the first of the year. GPS or Group Preparation Selection is one of the requirements in becoming a foster/adoptive parent. GPS is a ten week course and if you are a married couple it is required that both you and your spouse attend each meeting. An orientation is scheduled for January 3rd, 2012 at 5:30 pm at Fayette DHR. GPS classes will then begin January 17th and will continue every Tuesday for ten weeks from 6:00 pm-9:00 pm. If you are interested in becoming a foster or adoptive parent, please contact Myra Early with the Fayette County Department of Human Resources at 932-1685.

Posted: 2011-11-08 12:07:00 | Last Updated: 2011-11-08 12:32:00

The Berry Post 136 Veterans’ Memorial Ceremony This Sunday!

By WLDX

The Berry Post 136 Veterans’ Memorial, located adjacent to the town’s walking trail, will be formally dedicated on Sunday, November 6 at 3:00 PM. The ceremony will be conducted by Wesley Madison of the American Legion Post #136. The guest speaker will be Colonel Owen Sweatt, U.S. Army National Guard, retired. The Berry Post Veterans’ Memorial honors service men and women, past and present, from all branches of military service. Everyone is invited to attend and show your support for the men and women of our armed forces.

Posted: 2011-11-03 08:34:00 | Last Updated: 2011-11-03 08:34:00

Living Together is Not a Replacement for Marriage

By WLDX

(HealthNewsDigest.com) - Week after week I am seeing couples come in who want to get married. They are seeking guidance so they can build the strongest foundation possible prior to marriage. One of the problems that actually make this guidance more challenging is when one of the partners wanted to get married and the other didn’t so they opted to live together. The partner that went along with living together but wanted to get married usually has left over resentment, and it becomes evident in the premarital counseling.

Premarital counseling is usually upbeat and fun. It’s a joining together, an exciting time for the couple, and we have fun as we learn in the sessions. This changes when the couple has lived together, as there is more hostility when they talk about communication. Many times couples who live together think they know one another very well, and pre-marital counseling challenges their assumptions.

The popular view is often not the truth, and cohabitation is one of those times. Living together prior to marriage is still one of the best predictors for divorce and if you have a child in that union prior to marriage you set them up for an unstable life. The latest research has found that for children, going through a divorce is more stable than being raised by a cohabitating couple. Many couples find someone with whom they can relate or have sex, and before you know what is happening they decide they will live together. They tell me or anyone listening that they want to make sure they are compatible. Living together won’t tell you if you’re compatible as a married couple. It will tell you what a person smells like without a shower, who is messy and what kind of TV shows and music each of you like. It won’t tell you what sex, money, or communication will be like after marriage because these three things are the first to change after marriage. The biggest problem with living together is that one of those partners usually secretly wants to marry the other. They are trying not to be clingy or pushy so they opt for living together. When you want one type of relationship, but settle for another, it builds resentment and criticism. You may begin to think less of yourself as well as your partner for allowing or forcing you to “settle.” Of course this isn’t talked about aloud, but that doesn’t make it any less true or potent. What you cannot talk about, you usually act out with cheating: having a baby when the other person didn’t want one, or no longer taking care of yourself. Your living situation begins to erode a relationship that could have been a good marriage if you had taken your time to get to know one another, built a friendship, and kept your own place until you were ready to marry.

You cannot put love on a shelf and if you are ready to be married but your partner is not, the best thing you can do is be very clear up front with your intention. Living together is not the same as marriage. People who live together prior to engagement or marriage are saying “I like you, but I don’t like/love you enough to want to share my life with you.” When you hear “Let’s move in together,” it’s important that you also hear “I don’t like/value you enough to marry you, but sharing a place with you would be fun, economical, and less stressful” (there are many reasons other than commitment to cohabitate). There are two situations that don’t seem to affect marital longevity and yet the couple is living together:

If the couple is engaged to be married within 3 months. If the couple is over 80 years of age. If you love someone enough to marry them, then I suggest when/if they ask you to move in with them you reply assertively and lovingly, “I love you enough to spend my life with you.” “I don’t want a boy/girlfriend; I want you to be my wife/husband.” At this point, have an exit in mind, and say nothing more. Leave. Let them think it over; the ball is in their court. You have left them knowing you love them, and were strong enough to advocate your intention. –Mary Jo Rapini

Mrs. Annie Mae Cochran will be celebrating her 102nd Birthday Saturday, October 29, 2011. The family would like to invite you to come by the Recreation Room at the Fayette County Long Term Care Center Facility between the hours of 11 am through 1:30 pm to share and help celebrate this joyous and blessed occasion. We hope to see you there!!! Refreshments will be served.

Posted: 2011-10-25 10:00:00 | Last Updated: 2011-10-25 10:00:00

FOR ITS COMMITMENT TO QUALITY CARE, FAYETTE MEDICAL CENTER RECOGNIZED AS “HOMECARE ELITE” IN 2011

By WLDX

FAYETTE, Ala. – Fayette Medical Center has been ranked among the nation’s Top 25 percent of home health providers in an independent rating of home health quality and performance.

The home health agency is honored on the 2011 HomeCare Elite list, compiled annually by OCS HomeCare and DecisionHealth to recognize the top home health agencies in the United States.

Fayette Medical Center is one of 49 LHC Group home health providers incorporating 89 agency locations that achieved HomeCare Elite status for 2011. LHC Group is a national provider of home health and hospice services.

“This recognition is proof positive of what our patients already know,” said Keith G. Myers, LHC Group’s chairman and CEO. “Every day, our healthcare professionals deliver high-quality, compassionate and efficient care to the thousands of men and women who welcome us into their homes and lives.

“I commend Fayette Medical Center for leading the way – not only for our company but also for home health providers nationwide.”

The HomeCare Elite ranking, now in its sixth year, is a compilation of the most successful home care providers in the country. OCS HomeCare uses publicly available data from Home Health Compare and CMS cost reports to create the HomeCare Elite list.

Three domains of performance were cumulatively evaluated for the 2011 list -- quality of care, process measure implementation and financial performance. The quality of care component indexes agency performance in each of the 10 publicly reported Home Health Compare measures released in July 2011. The process measure implementation index is based on agencies’ rates in the 13 process measures included in the July 2011 Home Health Compare release. The financial performance measure represents agency indexed profit margin from the 2010 CMS cost reports (or adjusted 2009 results when 2010 data was not available).

Agency performance in each of the three domains was compared against the performance of other organizations in their state and throughout the country. The three domains were combined into one overall score, using a weighting methodology that gives the greatest importance to quality of care.

The top 25 percent of agencies in each region were identified, followed by the Top 100 and Top 500 nationally recognized home health agencies. In total, 9,724 Medicare-certified home health agencies had sufficient data to be considered for the annual honor, and 2,434 agencies earned recognition as 2011 HomeCare Elite.

Posted: 2011-10-21 11:36:00 | Last Updated: 2011-10-21 11:36:00

Applications For Christmas Assistance Has Started!

By WLDX

The Fayette County Department of Human Resources is accepting applications for Christmas assistance now through October 31st. No applications will be accepted after the deadline.

Posted: 2011-10-11 10:03:00 | Last Updated: 2011-10-11 10:03:00

VA Offering Help to Vets Who Face Homelessness

By WLDX

Too many veterans who helped protect our homes are winding up on the streets because they have lost their homes.

VA now has a toll -free hotline to help vets who are facing homelessness.Callers will receive help with issues related to health care, housing, employment, and education.

The calls to 877-4AID-VET are confidential and veterans are being urged to call it.

Posted: 2011-10-07 14:29:00 | Last Updated: 2011-10-07 14:29:00

FCS Transportation Department Seeking Bus Drivers!

By WLDX

THEY ARE NO LONGER ACCEPTING ANYMORE CALLS

The Fayette County School Transportation Department is seeking Bus Drivers. Applicant need to contact Shea Goree at 205-932-5842 ext. 3 between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. Applicants need to have a relatively clean driving history and be insurable. Applicants must have a Class A or B driver license with passenger (P) and school bus (S) endorsements or have successfully completed the CDL test and have a Third Party Form from the Department of Public Safety. Applicants must also submit to a background check, drug/alcohol screening, and could be asked to submit to a D.O.T. Medical Exam. Full Time employees receive: Excellent Salary (12 monthly payments), Excellent low-cost Major Medical insurance (Family Plan available), Sick Leave, Personal Leave, Dental and other insurances available.

﻿

Posted: 2011-10-05 14:19:00 | Last Updated: 2011-10-07 12:11:00

One in Four Americans Believe Vaccines are Unsafe

By WLDX

(HealthNewsDigest.com) - ANN ARBOR, Mich. and WASHINGTON -- More than one-quarter of Americans are concerned about the value and safety of vaccines and 21.4 percent believe vaccines can cause autism, according to the Thomson Reuters-NPR Health Poll.

Thomson Reuters and NPR conduct the monthly poll to gauge attitudes and opinions on a wide range of health issues.

In the latest survey in the series, 26.6 percent of respondents expressed concern over the safety of vaccines. Households with children under the age of 18 demonstrated the greatest level of concern (30.8%). The lowest level of concern (18.5%) was found in respondents 65 years old and up.

Among those with concerns, 47.3 percent attributed their fear of vaccines to future long-term impact on health and 46.0 percent said they were worried about side effects.

Nearly one in five said they have questioned or refused a vaccine for themselves or their children -- with a higher rate among those under 35 (28.1 percent) and a lower rate among those 65 and older (12.7 percent).

When asked about specific safety concerns, 21.4 percent of respondents said they believe vaccines can cause of autism, 9.2 percent said they believe vaccines can be linked to cancer, 6.9 percent believe they play a role in diabetes, and 5.9 percent cite a connection between vaccines and heart disease.

Overall, 24 percent of respondents said their opinions of vaccines have changed in the past five years. Of those, 59 percent say their views on vaccines have become less favorable.

"Ironically, these survey results are a testament to the effectiveness of vaccines: older people remember what illnesses like polio did to cripple and kill patients, but the younger generation has never seen someone with polio," said Raymond Fabius, M.D., chief medical officer at the healthcare business of Thomson Reuters. "Because of the elimination of diseases through immunization, there is a lack of understanding that the benefit of vaccines greatly outweighs the minimal risks of side effects both short and long term."

For a copy of the vaccine survey results. visit http://healthcare.thomsonreuters.com/npr/assets/NPR_report_vaccines.pdf

The Thomson Reuters-NPR Health Poll is powered by the Thomson Reuters PULSE(SM) Healthcare Survey, an independently funded, nationally representative telephone poll that collects information about health-related behaviors and attitudes and healthcare utilization from more than 100,000 US households annually. Survey questions are developed in conjunction with NPR. The figures in this month's poll are based on 3,011 participants interviewed from August 1-16, 2011. The margin of error is 1.8 percent.

Posted: 2011-10-03 08:42:00 | Last Updated: 2011-10-03 06:43:00

Why Did You Get Married?

By WLDX

(HealthNewsDigest.com) - When couples come to therapy, one of their very first assignments is to write down their mission statement for the marriage. I am asking them for the main reason they are married. The answers are varied and may look like, “We fell in love” or “We got pregnant.” Sometimes, the answers are a bit funny, such as “Who else would have me?” We sit and listen to the couples’ individual reasons and get an idea of what is important to them as a couple. This is an important part of the therapy, mostly because as we begin to work on the marriage we hear all sorts of complaints. These complaints make me wonder why this couple got married in the first place. For example, they may complain that their partner nags them, or they have to settle for one person for the rest of their life to fulfill their fantasies. They complain about no longer being able to enjoy strip clubs, or staring at young hot women (this is something guys do the majority of the time more than females). Sometimes they even complain about having to spend their money on their family instead of the toys they want. These reasons may seem selfish or ridiculous for anyone who is married, but they are reasons for which many married couples seek therapy.

When we begin changing things within the marriage, many times what happens is the couple decides that they aren’t really good marital partners. Therapy is all about communication and for perhaps the first time in this couple’s life they are communicating honestly. Along with that honesty are also feelings of resentment and hostility. He didn’t know that looking at other women offended his wife and she was plotting an affair to get desired attention she didn’t get from him. Or she didn’t know that her husband was gaining weight because he was depressed due to lack of physical touch from her. For some reason, they felt like they were married and that’s all they needed to do. They believed their marriage was forever and it was their right to complain about it, berate it, but were not invested enough to work on improving it. Marriages can linger in this state for years, but they will eventually succumb to a crisis which becomes a catalyst to improve the marriage or end it.

No marriage needs to get to that point. But…to avoid that crisis point you need to stop the lingering state of indifference. The lingering state (about seven years give or take a few) is where the biggest improvements can happen. New marital research has proven that couples who are educated seem to also do better with marriage. They marry smarter (better choices with partners), and they are more apt to be aware of this lingering state and quicker to correct it. They seem to have a lower threshold for simply lingering when they can enjoy a close, connected relationship. Marital research also suggests you can actually teach people prior to marriage how to avoid this lingering state. You can teach them by mentoring, using your own marriage (especially parents), and you can teach them by providing pre-marital counseling.

If you are aware of your marriage being in the “lingering state,” it is important that you bring it to the attention of your spouse. Rather than mentioning the word divorce, you must think of your marriage as a human, living thing. Your marriage in medical terms is ill and may need life support, but it is not dead. Lingering does not mean the end of the marriage. It means you need to act NOW. Below are suggestions for your marriage if you think it is in need of life support.

Just as a physician would put a very ill patient on life support, your marriage will need to be on life support with the help of a trained counselor. The counselor can help stabilize your marriage so you can begin peeling off layers of denial in order to deal with critical issues that must be resolved. The benefits of a healthy marriage are to encourage each other’s personal growth as well as their growth as a couple. This is achievable because the more secure each person feels, the more authentic they can become. The more authentic each of them becomes, the more free they begin to feel because they are accepted at their core. This is what gives the marriage its spark.

Nothing changes without goals. If you are in a stagnant lingering stage, there is nothing that works better than to sit down with your partner and identify 3 tangible goals you can work on to make your marriage more secure. Marriage can be the very best lifestyle imaginable or it can be hell on earth. The couple together has a choice of which of these it will be. So much energy is spent on trying to determine which gender is appropriate for marriage. I think we would be much wiser to focus our energy on improving marriages so that every child born into one had the assurance of growing up in a healthy marriage where two people loved being married to one another. –Mary Jo Rapini﻿

Posted: 2011-09-19 08:34:00 | Last Updated: 2011-09-19 06:38:00

FROGS EVERYWHERE! MARK YOUR CALENDARS SEPT 29TH - OCT 1ST

By WLDX

To Kill a Mockingbird and Taylor Hicks to headline city celebration

The place to be September 29 through October 1 is in Fayette, Alabama for the Fayette County courthouse centennial celebration and annual Frog Level festival. Headliners for the weekend event are the performances of the play, “To Kill A Mockingbird” and 2006 American Idol Taylor Hicks.

Downtown Fayette and the Fayette County courthouse are celebrating 100 years of the rebuilding of the area that was destroyed by fire in 1911. The historical society worked diligently to bring the play based on Harper Lee’s famous Pulitzer prize winning novel To Kill A Mockingbird to the Fayette County Courthouse venue.

The celebration will begin September 29 with the first performance of the play at 7:00 p.m. by the Mockingbird players of Monroeville, AL. The Mockingbird Players have performed all around the world for the past 21 years. This widely acclaimed production is one of Alabama’s hottest theatre tickets.

There will be five performances at the courthouse: Thurs., Sept. 29 at 7 p.m.; Friday Sept. 30 at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. and Sat., Oct. 1 at 2 p.m. and 7 pm. Sad to say all tickets have been sold

The performance dates for the play are also the weekend of the annual Frog Level Festival and the antique car show. The antique car show (usually over 200 vehicles) will be held from 8 a.m. until 2 p.m. on Saturday, as well as other Frog Level events.

At 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, Oct. 1, a celebration will be held on the courthouse lawn in recognition of the 100 years. Governor Robert Bentley has been invited to speak and the “Mockingbird” choir will perform several old spirituals.

The play on Saturday is at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. and then America Idol winner Taylor Hicks will have a concert at the Fayette Civic Center at 5 and 8 p.m. The concert is the culmination of a series (Tunes on Temple) held in conjunction with The Year of Alabama Music. Tickets for the concert are $25 and available at Fayette City Hall, Fayette Civic Center and through the Chamber of Commerce Web site at fayetteareachamber.org.

This will be an exciting and wonderful fun-filled weekend, so make plans to attend and get your tickets early.

Posted: 2011-09-12 14:49:00 | Last Updated: 2011-09-23 19:33:00

Ten Years Later, Sessions Reflects On September 11

By WLDX

WASHINGTON— U.S. Senator Jeff Sessions (R-AL), a senior member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, made the following statement today regarding the 10th Anniversary of the terror attacks on the United States on September 11, 2001:

“None of us will ever forget where we were or what we were doing on September 11, 2001 as we witnessed the death and destruction caused by terrorists. Nearly 3,000 lives were lost at the World Trade Center in New York, at the Pentagon, and in that field in Pennsylvania. Acts of heroism from first responders and citizens of this great nation inspired all of us. Members of an Alabama disaster medical assistance team traveled to Ground Zero to work with the firefighters, construction workers, and others involved in the massive cleanup of the World Trade towers. The way Americans came together brought a unity our country had not seen in years, and instilled in many a determination to prevent the terrorists from winning the war they declared on this nation.

The terrorist attacks occurred far from Alabama, but our state also was affected by the events of that terrible day. At least five Alabamians were killed in the Pentagon attacks, two were aboard the airliners that crashed into the Twin Towers, and at least one Alabamian perished inside one of the towers. Since then, many brave Alabamians have died in fighting the war against terrorism.

After 9/11, our nation fundamentally reevaluated its approach to terrorism. We recognized that we are at war and that routine criminal justice procedures were not designed or appropriate for this new threat. The strong response by our country to the attacks has completely removed the terrorists’ false impression that the U.S. was unwilling to defend itself. We have not suffered an attack on the homeland since, and Al Qaeda has suffered severe losses and is being hunted worldwide. Still, the effort is not over. Our safety has been ensured by the courage, professionalism, and the blood of those magnificent men and women of the military and national security services who have led the effort.”

Posted: 2011-09-09 15:51:00 | Last Updated: 2011-09-09 15:51:00

Over 35, Female, and Wants to Get Married

By WLDX

(HealthNewsDigest.com) - More and more I am surrounded by women over 35 years of age who want to get married, but cannot find a suitable partner. They have heard the best places to go for singles over 35, have been set up on numerous blind dates, have joined online dating, and still don’t have a ring on their finger. These women are educated, have a great job, great homes, gorgeous, and would make the perfect wife. What’s wrong? When I talk with these women, many think the problem may rest with the guys. Guys in their age range want younger, less established women, or cougars who are self-made and don’t need the guy’s financial backing, or his ability to procreate in order to share a life together. But if I take a bit longer and talk more in depth with these women, then I begin to see that it may not be the men at all. It may in fact be the way these women are feeling toward themselves or what they are projecting outward that is limiting their ability to find a suitable partner for marriage.

Many of us don’t understand that how we feel inside really does project on the outside. If you feel cynical, judgmental or unhappy, no matter how much your latest haircut, manicurist, trainer, or diet fad costs, your looks will reflect how you feel. If you have been let down by men beginning with your dad when you were six, or by your boyfriend who got stolen from you when you were 17 years old, and you never resolved it, then you will attract a man who gets stolen from you or abandons you time after time. When a man becomes interested in you, they take a look at you and already know their destiny. There are things you have to look at within yourself whenever you are seeking something or someone. These thoughts/tapes are often the reason most women over 35 who want to get married are not.

Life has taught you to be critical. Men are emotional beings just as women are. They enjoy sex, but they want to build a life with women who are kind and loving. There is a saying that “every man loves a bitch.” This is misinterpreted by many women. Men like a confident woman who is capable of loving herself and others. Men do not like mean women. If a man is drawn to a mean woman, it says more about his family of origin than it does about the woman. Be careful…do you want to be with a man who likes mean women? Really?

Your standard of measurement is askew. Often, women who want to marry but aren’t married are still looking for someone cute. Sexual attraction is important, but in regards to a husband, what are most important are honesty and character. One study referenced in my blog reported that the healthiest marriages were those where the woman was the looker, not the guy. If you have a particular “cute level” they must achieve, you need to look in the mirror again with your makeup washed off, because this is the way your husband will see you each morning.

Being honest with yourself is not valued. The majority of single women over 35 who want to be married are in relationships with people that they don’t really love or see a future with. They lie to these guys and tell them such things as, “Yeah, its okay if we don’t get married.” They move in with him and begin a life, many times committing years of their lives to a man who is never going to commit to them because they are afraid if they tell him the truth he will leave. If you want to get married, make it known, be authentic up front, and don’t settle for someone who is still trying to flirt with everything he sees. You don’t like yourself. Women who are single and over a certain age become very self-focused. They begin to see all of their flaws (especially with looks); the world becomes totally centered on them. The more this happens, the more they repel others. Soon, they find themselves alone and begin to think they don’t deserve anyone. When a man is looking for a wife, any vibes of self hate come through loud and clear. Somehow they get it, that you cannot possibly love them any more than you can love yourself. If you disgust you, how can you possibly love them?

The only reason to get married is because you have decided that this person brings out the very best in you and you in them. The thought of not sharing your life with them is worse than the thought of losing everything else in your life. It takes that kind of commitment from both of you. Marriage is a lifestyle; the vows are sacred. Prepare yourself to be a good partner instead of focusing on how messed up single guys/women are over 35 years of age. –Mary Jo Rapini

Posted: 2011-09-06 09:06:00 | Last Updated: 2011-09-06 09:06:00

Earthquake in Fayette

By WLDX

According to Scott Porter, Director of the Fayette County EMA, the city of Fayette at 07:18:47 today felt a 2.1 magnitude earth quake approximately 2 miles West/Northwest and was very close to the earths surface. No damage was reported but several concerned citizens called to find out what happened.

Posted: 2011-08-31 16:18:00 | Last Updated: 2011-08-31 16:18:00

Statement from Senator Roger Bedford on the Announcement of the Expansion of Metal Land, LLC in Vernon, Alabama

By WLDX

Governor Bentley and Senator Roger Bedford yesterday ( August 23rd) announced the creation of 202 new jobs in Vernon by Metal Land, LLC also known as Roof Mart. This major expansion will bring $900,000 in capital investment and growth to Lamar County and the surrounding counties.

Senator Roger Bedford wants to thank CEO Robert McNeese for his hard work and dedication in brining these critical jobs to Lamar County at a time they are most needed. Metal Land, LLC’s announcement comes right on the heels of the recent announcement that VF Corporation will rebuild the Wrangler Plant in Hackleburg and add an additional 50 job

Senator Roger Bedford is very hopeful that this exciting industrial growth and the hundreds of new jobs they are bringing are a strong indication that we are turning the corner to a brighter economy for the entire region.

Posted: 2011-08-24 08:15:00 | Last Updated: 2011-08-24 08:15:00

Project Rebound To Assist Tornado Victims

By WLDX

Project Rebound is a resource for tornado victims, providing help with whatever needs they might have, was awarded a grant by FEMA through the Northwest Alabama Mental Health Center to assist with disaster recovery in this area.

Project Rebound has been going door-to-door in Cordova, Sipsey, Empire, and Berry gathering resources for residents in these communities, such as contractors, medical assistance, referrals for mental health counseling, and many others. They have also set up weekly support group meetings to help both children and adults cope with the stresses from the April 27th tornadoes. Thier support group meetings are as follows: Tuesdays from 6-7PM at Cordova Elem. School; and New Hope Sulphar Springs Church in the Boley/Flatwoods community in Fayette County from 6-7PM on Thursdays.

Posted: 2011-08-19 09:23:00 | Last Updated: 2011-08-19 09:23:00

Arvin Employees Reunion Coming Up in September!

By WLDX

There will be an Arvin Employees Reunion Sunday, Sept. 4th from 2 pm until 6 pm at Guthrie Smith Park. It will held at the two small pavilions next to the old runway. All former employees and their families are invited to attend.

Posted: 2011-08-15 09:22:00 | Last Updated: 2011-08-29 08:15:00

Fitness, Health Clubs, And Good Health

By WLDX

(HealthNewsDigest.com) - Visitors to this website—and nearly every other person on the face of the Earth—are concerned about good health. But, what exactly is "good health"?

At first blush, this could be the absence of disease. Upon further reflection, most would expand the concept. A widely quoted definition comes from the World Health Organization, that became official in 1948, and has remained unchanged since then: "Health is a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity."

For simplicity and sheer practicality, though, Dr. Patricia Raymond just about nails it: "It's when your physical being does not limit the things that you want to accomplish." I suppose Dr. Pat implies that lacking a desire to accomplish anything would indicate mental illness.

Focusing in from these generalities, many of us are searching for ways to become more proactive about our health. This is certainly admirable, and is a relatively recent phenomenon—especially in its expansion beyond the "health nuts" of the 1950s and early 60s. Sadly, being proactive still runs contrary to the philosophy of organized health care in essentially every country. We have stated many times in this column that such organized "health care" is really disease care.

As such, our group is striving to keep out of the so-called health care system, and tends to concentrate on diet, exercise, and stress reduction. Exercise is utilized to promote fitness, which involves at least these components:

Cardiorespiratory endurance

Muscular strength

Muscular endurance

Body composition (fat versus lean mass)

Flexibility

To achieve fitness goals, a surprisingly large number of Americans belong to health clubs. According to figures published by the International Health, Racquet & Sportsclub Association (IHRSA), U.S. health club membership reached 50.2 million in 2010—a 10 percent increase over 2009.

"One year does not constitute a trend, but it is certainly a positive sign that 2010 saw real membership growth after four years of treading water," said Jay Ablondi, IHRSA's executive vice president of global products. "The health club industry has weathered the economic storm of the past few years better than many other industries."

On the other hand, health club member usage declined from 102.4 days in 2009 to 97.5 visits in 2010. Thus, there is strong interest in what club owners call "engaging" members. Group fitness classes are a key to this engagement strategy, and dance-oriented classes, such as Zumba®, are a big part of the picture.

Katie Hughes is founder and CEO of Dance Yourself Fit LLC, manufacturers of the popular Slip-On Dancers, a patent-pending pair of innovative bands that fit on regular shoes and provide adjustable traction, a boon for dance fitness classes. [http://www.slipondancers.com] Recently, she gave me some insight into this aspect of the fitness industry.

Everyone is looking for a shortcut to getting fit, and it's a lot easier to stick with a program that you enjoy. I'm not sure you get that fun factor with the more traditional cardio exercises. Many people are also seeing good ab and hip development with the dance programs.

I asked what it is about group fitness that makes it so favored by health club members. Katie observed that a good instructor will use the positive energy in the room to make the experience something that just can't be achieved at home. If the goal is to retain members, that's about as engaging as it can get!

Katie tells me that her products will be on display at the upcoming IDEA World Fitness Convention in Los Angeles (August 11-14).

Finally, does exercise promote better health? While most people think so, actual hard evidence is sorely lacking. No doubt, exercise makes us feel better, and it can be argued that if you feel better, you are also probably more healthy. Good luck proving it, however.

As to exercise fighting obesity, our number one health issue (although some would rate stress just as high), the picture is also murky. When you consider that a 160 pound (72.6 kg) individual running a mile in six minutes will only burn 110 calories, it is clear that diet is the major factor. Yet, being in an exercise/fitness mentality will tend to promote a better diet in most people, and will usually also reduce stress.

By Michael D. Shaw, Contributing Columnist - HealthNewsDigest.com

Posted: 2011-08-08 10:25:00 | Last Updated: 2011-08-08 08:28:00

A Change to the Fayette County Board of Education Board Meeting

By WLDX

The Fayette County Board of Education Board Meeting has been changed from August 4th at 5:30 to August 9th at 5:30.

If you have any further questions please feel free to contact us at 932-4611.

at 12 midnight giving shoppers the opportunity to purchase certain school supplies, computers and clothing free of state sales tax.

Local sales tax may apply. For more information, contact us 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m., CST Monday through Friday 334-242-1490 or 866-576-6531

Posted: 2011-08-01 08:31:00 | Last Updated: 2011-08-01 08:31:00

Genes Play Greater Role in Heart Attacks Than Stroke

By WLDX

(HealthNewsDigest.com) - People are significantly more likely to inherit a predisposition to heart attack than to stroke, according to research reported in Circulation: Cardiovascular Genetics, an American Heart Association journal.

The study results have implications for better understanding the genetics of stroke and suggest the need for separate risk assessment models for the two conditions.

"We found that the association between one of your parents having a heart attack and you having a heart attack was a lot stronger than the association between your parent having a stroke and you having a stroke," said senior author Peter M. Rothwell, M.D., Ph.D., professor of clinical neurology at Oxford University in England. "That suggests the susceptibility to stroke is less strongly inherited than the susceptibility to heart attack."

A second analysis, which included patients' siblings as well as parents, yielded the same result: Family history proved a stronger risk predictor for heart attack than for stroke.

Rothwell and his colleagues conducted the study to clarify and confirm evidence suggesting a great difference in genetic predisposition between heart attacks and strokes. "We had found previously that much of the heritability of stroke is related to the genetics of high blood pressure, which doesn't seem to be the case for heart attack," Rothwell said. Hypertension appears to be closely related with stroke rather than heart attack, which is why a family history of hypertension is related to a higher risk of stroke.

In the report published today, all patients were enrolled in the ongoing Oxford Vascular Study. OXVASC, as the study is known, that began in 2002 to study strokes, heart attacks and other acute vascular events in a part of Oxfordshire County where more than 91,000 people are served by one hospital. Previous analyses in the same population conducted by lead author, Amitava Banerjee MPH PhD, have shown the particular importance of family history in mother-daughter transmission in both heart attacks and stroke. "Family history of heart attacks and family history of strokes have rarely been studied in the same population," Banerjee said.

-- In the heart patients, 30 percent had one parent who'd had a heart attack, 21 percent had at least one sibling who had suffered a heart attack. Seven percent had two or more siblings who had heart attacks and 5 percent had two parents with heart attack. -- Among the patients with a stroke or transient ischemic attacks (TIAs, often called a mini-strokes or warning strokes), 21 percent had one parent who had a stroke, and 2 percent had two parents with stroke. Eight percent had at least one sibling with a stroke and 1.4 percent had at least two siblings with stroke. -- The risk of a sibling developing acute heart problems was similar for those with heart attack or stroke. -- The risk for an acute cardiac event was six times greater if both parents had suffered a heart attack and one-and-a-half times greater if one parent had a heart attack. In contrast, the likelihood of stroke did not change significantly with parents' stroke history.

The findings, if confirmed by additional studies, hold two significant implications, Rothwell said.

"First, the way physicians predict the odds of a healthy person suffering a heart attack or stroke needs refining," he said. "Currently, most risk models lump a patient's family history of stroke and heart attack together. We probably should model family history of stroke and heart attack separately in the future."

The new data also indicated that using the same criteria to predict both medical events overestimate the risk of stroke, he added. "The knowledge of genetic factors in stroke lags behind that in coronary artery disease," Rothwell said. The discovery that genes play a significantly smaller role in stroke could mean that genetic studies of stroke may not be critical to the field, he added.

Statements and conclusions of study authors published in American Heart Association scientific journals are solely those of the study authors and do not necessarily reflect the association's policy or position. The association makes no representation or guarantee as to their accuracy or reliability. The association receives funding primarily from individuals; foundations and corporations (including pharmaceutical, device manufacturers and other companies) also make donations and fund specific association programs and events. The association has strict policies to prevent these relationships from influencing the science content. Revenues from pharmaceutical and device corporations are available at www.americanheart.org/corporatefunding.

Downloadable stock footage, animation and our image gallery are located at www.heart.org/news under Multimedia.

Posted: 2011-07-27 08:17:00 | Last Updated: 2011-07-27 08:17:00

Fayette City Council Meeting & Work Session Agendas for July 26, 2011

By WLDX

There will be a Sipsey Project Planning Meeting on Tuesday, July 26th at the Fayette Civic Center. The meeting will commence at 10:00 AM and will be facilitated by Larry Watts who consulted with the city in the development of the Comprehensive Master Plan. Mr. Steve Northcutt, Alabama Nature Conservatory www.nature.org , will discuss opportunities for the promotion of the Sipsey River in Fayette County. This meeting is open to any interested citizens and council members.

The Fayette City Council Meeting scheduled for Tuesday, July 26th at 5:00 pm has been moved from Fayette City Hall to the Fayette Civic Center. The Southern Solar Systems Company who installed the solar energy system will do a presentation at the 5:30-5:45 pm Council Work Session. The city was one of four communities in Alabama that was awarded a $25,000 Solar Energy Grant.

The project bid was awarded to Southern Solar Company located in Huntsville Alabama. Company officials will do a short presentation on the operation of the solar energy system for the public. A television monitor located inside the Fayette Civic Center monitors the energy savings on a daily basis. You can visit Southern Solar Systems Company website to find out more about solar energy.

All Fayette City Council meetings and work sessions are open public meetings. The Fayette City Council encourages all citizens to attend council meetings and provide input into improving our community.

Posted: 2011-07-25 08:22:00 | Last Updated: 2011-07-25 06:55:00

Fayette City Council Meeting at Fayette Civic Center

By WLDX

The Fayette City Council Meeying schelduled for Tuesday, July 26th at 5 pm has been moved from Fayette City Hall to the Fayette Civic Center. The Southern Solar Systems Company who installed the solar energy system will do a presentation at the 6 pm Council Work Session. The city was one of four communities in Alabama that was awarded a $25,000 Solar Energy Grant.

The project bid was awarded to Southern Solar Company located in Huntsville, Alabama. Copmpany officials will do a short presentation on the operation of the solar energy system for the public. A television monitor located inside the Fayette Civic Center monitors the energy savings on a daily basis.

All Fayette City Council meetings and work sessions are openpublic meetings. The Fayette City Council encourages all citizens to attend council meetings and provide input into improving our community.

Alabama Association For Justice Continues Free Help For Those Affected By Tornadoes

By WLDX

MONTGOMERY – With thousands of families still affected by the April tornadoes, the Alabama Association for Justice continues to offer free legal help to anyone affected by the storms which ravaged the state in the spring.

Anyone who suffered damage from the storms is eligible for the free legal assistance. Members of the Alabama Association for Justice, an association comprised of attorneys dedicated to helping people, provide the services.

To register for help, people should go to www.alabamajustice.org and click on “tornado relief form.” Or, people may call 334-262-4974.

Already the association has helped nearly 150 people with free legal help, including help with insurance companies, landlords, and FEMA.

The group has been offering the services since the April 27 tornadoes and will continue to offer help as long as people need it.

Posted: 2011-07-20 10:19:00 | Last Updated: 2011-07-20 10:19:00

Fayette County High School Schedule Pick up and Ninth Grade Orientation

By WLDX

Monday, August 8, 2011

1:00 p.m. – Seniors (results of the summer AHSGE will be available)

2:00 p.m. - Juniors

3:00 p.m. - Sophomores

Tuesday, August 9, 2011

1:00 p.m. – Freshmen and New Student Orientation and Schedule pick up

Tours of the Fayette County High School Campus will be given after Orientation. Only students or their parents will be allowed to pick up schedules. If students cannot get their schedule during schedule pick up, they will receive it during homeroom the first day of school.

In addition to picking up the schedules on the specified date and time, students who drive to school and park in the student parking lot will need to purchase a Parking Decal. Cost is $10 for the main parking lot; $25 for the parking lot behind the band building (seniors only). Parking spaces are distributed on a “first come, first served” basis. Proof of insurance and a driver’s license are required.

Students must have an up to date immunization record (“blue slip”) on file before they will be allowed to get their schedule. Student that had expired immunization records received a letter in the spring.

Posted: 2011-07-18 14:57:00 | Last Updated: 2011-07-28 15:03:00

RETURN YOUR SBA DISASTER LOAN APPLICATION TO KEEP OPTIONS OPEN

By WLDX

BIRMINGHAM, Ala.-Disaster survivors who do not return their U.S. Small Business Administration disaster loan application may miss out on the chance to cover all of their recovery costs.

Some survivors do not want a disaster loan to cover disaster-related expenses, but additional costs can arise down the road leaving them without enough money to pay for them.

Additional financial gaps that may occur include:

Insurance not covering all repair or rebuilding costs;

Discovering disaster-related damage costs are more than the initial estimate; and

Finding additional damages.

Survivors are not obligated to accept a loan if one is offered, but by returning their SBA disaster loan applications the choice is there. It also opens the door for additional grants. However, these possibilities will be gone if survivors do not return their application by Monday, July 18.

Homeowners can receive loans up to $200,000 to repair or replace property damages. They may also borrow up to $40,000 to replace damaged or destroyed personal property not covered by their insurance.

Disaster loans with rates as low as 2.563 percent are available in the 43 counties designated for Federal Emergency Management Agency Individual Assistance following the spring tornadoes.

Survivors can call the SBA toll free at 800-659-2955 or (800-877-8339 TTY). They can also apply online at SBA's secure website, https://DisasterLoan.SBA.gov/ELA.

FEMA's mission is to support our citizens and first responders to ensure that as a nation we work together to build, sustain, and improve our capability to prepare for, protect against, respond to, recover from, and mitigate all hazards.

Disaster recovery assistance is available without regard to race, color, religion, nationality, sex, age, disability, English proficiency or economic status. If you or someone you know has been discriminated against, call FEMA toll-free at 800-621-FEMA (3362). If you have a speech disability or hearing loss and use a TTY, call 800-462-7585 directly; if you use 711 or Video Relay Service (VRS), call 800-621-3362.

The social media links provided are for reference only. FEMA does not endorse any non-government websites, companies or applications.

FEMA's temporary housing assistance and grants for public transportation expenses, medical and dental expenses, and funeral and burial expenses do not require individuals to apply for an SBA loan. However, applicants who receive SBA loan applications must submit them to SBA loan officers to be eligible for assistance that covers personal property, vehicle repair or replacement, and moving and storage expenses.

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - One week remains for disaster survivors who sustained storm-related damages between April 15 and May 31 to return their disaster loan application to the U.S. Small Business Administration.

Survivors only need about 20-30 minutes to complete the SBA disaster loan application by the Monday, July 18, deadline. Completing the application may provide survivors with the funding necessary to assist them in rebuilding their lives.

Homeowners can receive loans of up to $200,000 to repair or replace storm-related damages. Homeowners and renters may borrow up to $40,000 to replace damaged or destroyed personal property, including vehicles.

Applying for a disaster loan may also open the door to Federal Emergency Management Agency disaster recovery grants that do not need to be paid back.

SBA loans, with rates as low as 2.563 percent, are available in the 43 counties designated for FEMA Individual Assistance.

Survivors can call the SBA toll free at 800-659-2955 or (800-877-8339 TTY). They can also apply online at SBA's secure website, https://DisasterLoan.SBA.gov/ELA.

Hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, and the centers will remain open until further notice. They are closed Saturdays and Sundays.

Low-interest SBA disaster loans are the largest source of federal recovery funding for homeowners, renters and business owners. They may provide financial assistance for repairing or rebuilding a home or replacing personal property, such as furniture, clothes and vehicles.

Applying for the loan may open the door toFEMA grants that do not need to be paid back. The grants may be used to replace essential household items, replace or repair personal property and cover other disaster-related needs.

Homeowners, renters or business owners who sustained storm-related damages have until Monday, July 18, to apply for a low-interest SBA disaster loan.

SBA applications can be downloaded from www.sba.gov. Survivors may also visit SBA's secure website at https://DisasterLoan.SBA.gov/ELA/ to apply online for a low-interest disaster loan or call 800-659-2955 or (800-877-8339 TTY).

Survivors can register with FEMA by calling 800-621-FEMA (3362) from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m., seven days a week. If you have a speech disability or hearing loss and use a TTY, call 800-462-7585 directly; if you use 711 or Video Relay Service (VRS), call 800-621-3362. Online registration is available at www.DisasterAssistance.govor m.fema.gov on a smartphone or tablet.

Posted: 2011-07-08 08:38:00 | Last Updated: 2011-07-08 08:38:00

Fats: Fact & Fiction

By WLDX

(HealthNewsDigest.com) - Throughout much of human history, fats were good. Having fat on your body or eating foods with fat could mean the difference between survival and death. Body fat is equal to reserve energy tucked away for future use. Food fat is a very dense calorie source. Until recently in history, for most cultures, food was scarce and physical labor was necessary to survival. Fat helped humans survive.

But in the 1950s our thinking about fat changed. Ancel Keyes, a noted researcher, published the Seven Countries study which linked a high dietary fat intake and heart disease. The Framingham Heart Study went further adding the idea that higher intakes of dietary fat lead to higher levels of circulating fats (cholesterol) in the blood.

Fats went on the “don’t eat” list and we saw a cultural eating shift to lowfat, nonfat foods, along with a replacement of fat calories with carbohydrate foods. Even though we swapped fat calories for carb calories, during this phase, Americans got fatter and fatter. This shows that too many calories, regardless of where they come from, are the root cause of gaining weight.

Fast forward to today and let’s take a look at what we know about fats. First, let’s put the myth to bed that fats, as a class of food, are bad. The notion that any fat is all good or all bad is just silly. Fats are very dense in calories, having more than twice as many calories as protein or carbohydrate by weight (1 gram of fat = 9 calories; 1 gram of protein or carb = 4 calories).

But, calories from fat are not the central issue. We simply eat too many calories and we like to blame fat calories as the problem. It is the overall calorie intake of the population that is making us fatter, not the specific fat calories we eat. As a matter of fact, fat calories might add to a feeling of fullness and help us eat less.

Fat is a class of nutrients that is quite complex. There are three major types of fat – monounsaturated fat, polyunsaturated fat, and saturated fat. Every food with fat contains a mixture of all three fats, but we classify the food by the predominate type of fat it contains. Olive oil, peanuts, avocados, and chicken fat are high in monounsaturated fat. Soybean oil, soft margarine, corn oil, nuts, seeds, fish, flaxseeds and wheat germ are high in polyunsaturated fat. Meat, cheese, whole milk, butter, coconut, and poultry are high in saturated fat.

But the fat story does not end there. People who eat more monounsaturated fat have a lower risk for heart disease and other chronic diseases and appear to be healthier overall. A recent study reported that those people who ate the most olive oil reduced their risk of stroke by 40%. But many people who eat more of this type of fat also make healthier eating choices, so it may be a combination of the fat plus good eating habits.

The polyunsaturated story is a bit more complicated. Polyunsaturated fats can be divided into two subsets – omega-3 fats and omega-6 fats. Most vegetable oils are omega-6 polyunsaturated fats – safflower, sesame, soybean, corn, grapeseed and wheat germ oil. Fish, canola oil, flaxseeds, and walnuts are high in omega-3 fats. Many experts feel that we eat far too many omega-6 fats and far too few omega-3 fats. Why is that important?

Omega-6 fats tend to have an inflammatory effect on the body which may be the underlying cause for many chronic diseases such as heart disease. Omega-3 fats have an anti-inflammatory effect, which protects us from chronic disease. Observational studies have shown that when you increase the amount of omega-3 fats you eat your risk for diabetes goes down, the level of LDL cholesterol in the blood goes down, the level of triglycerides (blood fats) goes down, and overall inflammation in the body decreases. Eating more fish, grabbing a handful of walnuts daily, and using canola oil would tip the scale toward a more balanced intake of omega-3 to omega-6 fats.

Saturated fat, a dietary devil for decades, is now considered by many fat experts as less harmful than we once believed. Again, saturated fats are made up a complex class of fats. Palmitic saturated fat, found in palm oil and animal fat, is still considered by most to be a risk factor for heart disease. But myristic saturated fat (found in butterfat and animal fat) and stearic saturated fat (found in cocoa butter and animal fat) do not appear to be harmful. Lauric acid, found in coconut oil and palm kernel oil, once thought to be harmful, now appears to be far less of a problem.

What does this all mean to you? It is the overall calories that we eat and the lack of physical activity that is driving poor health and obesity in the US. The type and amount of fat we eat may contribute to your overall health profile, but fats don’t need to be avoided.

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — Survivors who need help filling out U.S. Small Business Administrationloan applications are urged to attend a Disaster Information Workshop where trained volunteers are available to assist them.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency’s Community Relations teams are reaching out to survivors in areas reporting the fewest number of loan application returns through these workshops.

“FEMA is working within the Neighborhood Partnership and with faith-based and community-based organizations and businesses, along with Voluntary Agencies to target areas where few applications were returned to SBA,” according to Federal Coordinating Officer Michael F. Byrne. “The teams are scheduling more of these workshops, and they will have volunteers available who can provide help to survivors filling out applications.”

FEMA Disaster Information Workshop Schedule

Date

Time

Address

County

July 6

6:30 to 8:30 p.m.

Disaster Recovery Center

1485 Forestdale Blvd.

Birmingham, Ala. 35214

Jefferson

July 7

8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Fyffe Church of God

778 Main St.

Fyffe, Ala. 35971

Dekalb

July 7

6:30 to 8:30 p.m.

Mt. Moriah Baptist Church

Gymnasium

306 Ave. U, Pratt City

Birmingham, Ala. 35214

Jefferson

July 7

4 to 6 p.m.

Liberty Free Will Baptist Church

1124 County Rd. 37

Guin, Ala. 35563

Marion

July 7

4 to 6 p.m.

First Baptist Church of Arab

502 N. Main Street

Arab, Ala. 35016

Marshall

July 7

9 a.m. to 1 p.m

Macedonia Primitive Baptist Church

13376 Dupree-Worthy Rd.

Harvest, Ala. 35749

Madison

Survivors can also call the SBA toll free at 800-659-2955 or (800-877-8339 TTY).

Posted: 2011-07-06 11:11:00 | Last Updated: 2011-07-06 11:11:00

WLDX Anthony "Big A" Wilson Passes Away

By WLDX

Anthony Wilson a.k.a. Big A passed away late Sunday evening (July 3) at the age of 78. WLDX signed on September 3, 1949, as WWWF and Anthony Wilson has been part of the history of this radio station since the opening of WWWF and the many changes throughout the years. Anthony "Big A" Wilson will be missed here at the station and to the many listeners of the Big A Show.

Posted: 2011-07-05 06:21:00 | Last Updated: 2011-07-05 05:43:00

Fireworks Safety Tips

By WLDX

Avoid dangerous fireworks accidents with these tips

If you’re going to enjoy a celebration this summer, it's important to follow a few fireworks safety tips. Summer means picnics, barbecues, parades and fireworks displays, especially around the 4th of July. Summer also means an increase in injuries from backyard grills, bonfires and fireworks.

Even before lighting a single match, it's critical to make sure you’re using fireworks safely. In fact, using fireworks safely is paramount

when children are involved. Children between the ages of 10 and 14 were at three times the risk of fireworks injuries than the general population.

About a third of the injuries were from small firecrackers, 21 percent from bottle rockets and 20 percent from sparklers. In 2004, fireworks caused $21 million in direct property damage.

The National Safety Council advises that the best way to practice fireworks safety is to watch a public fireworks display conducted by professionals. However, if fireworks are legal where you live and you decide to use them, be sure you know you are using fireworks safely:

Use outdoors only.

Obey local fireworks safety laws. If fireworks are not legal where you live, do not use them!

Always have both a garden hose and a bucket nearby.

Only use fireworks safely as they are intended, don’t try to change or combine them.

Light only one firework at a time.

Never relight a "dud" firework. Wait 15 to 20 minutes and then soak it in water.

Dispose of fireworks properly by soaking in water, then disposing in trash.

Never shoot fireworks in metal or glass containers.

The shooter should always wear eye protection and never have any part of the body over the firework.

Use fireworks safely by using common sense. Spectators should keep a safe distance.

All available troopers will be on duty during the Fourth of July holiday travel period, enforcing traffic laws, assisting motorists and serving as visible reminders to drive safely. In addition to routine patrol operations, enforcement plans include license and sobriety checkpoints, saturation and line patrols, and operation of laser speed detection devices (LIDAR) from stationary vantage points.

According to Public Safety Director Col. Hugh B. McCall, troopers will pay close attention to those violations that frequently cause crashes -- making unsafe lane changes, following too closely, failing to yield the right of way and speeding. These behaviors generally constitute "aggressive" driving when two or more are combined. Troopers will actively work to identify and apprehend drivers impaired by alcohol or drugs during the holiday travel period.

McCall cited the value of highly visible, intensive enforcement in reducing motor vehicle crashes, deaths and injuries. "With heightened trooper presence, we have increased safety on Alabama's roadways. The number of crashes is down, and we are working hard to keep it that way," he said.

DPS's director said Alabama is committed to improving highway safety during the upcoming holiday. "Our goal as troopers is to save lives and safeguard all motorists on Alabama's roadways," he said.

Overtime grants administered through the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs and the Alabama Department of Transportation will support increased patrols during the Fourth of July travel period.

McCall urges motorists to make safety a priority, adding that it is important to make sure everyone in the vehicle buckles up on every trip, no matter how far the drive.

The official Independence Day travel period begins at 6 p.m. Friday, July 1, and ends at midnight Monday, July 4. Public Safety, however, will extend this enforcement campaign to midnight Tuesday, July 5. During last year's holiday travel period, there were 13 traffic fatalities - including seven vehicle occupants and two motorcyclists. Almost half of these fatal crashes involved alcohol; and of the seven vehicle occupants who could have been restrained, only one was wearing a seat belt.

Posted: 2011-07-01 06:06:00 | Last Updated: 2011-07-01 05:00:00

ALDOT Urges Motorists to Drive Safely This Holiday

By WLDX

MONTGOMERY – Highway travel during the 2011 Independence Day holiday weekend is expected to be heavy in Alabama as families head for holiday destinations. The Alabama Department of Transportation urges motorists to drive safely in their travels.

As an added precaution during the heavily traveled holiday, Transportation Director John Cooper announced today there would be no temporary lane closures on Alabama interstates after 12 noon, Friday, July 1, through midnight, Monday, July 4.

“Our highways will have a higher traffic volume than normal,” said Cooper. “For the safety of the traveling public, our construction industry workers and maintenance crews, road work will be limited during this busy holiday period.” Throughout the year, ALDOT limits road construction during major holiday weekends.

Emergency lane closures may be possible dependant on specific circumstances on interstates and other state roadways.

During last year’s holiday travel period, there were 13 traffic fatalities in Alabama. To help lower that number, there will be increased patrols by state troopers targeting aggressive driving during this year’s holiday period. Overtime grants administered through the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs and the Alabama Department of Transportation support those efforts.

(HealthNewsDigest.com) - In Italy they call kids who never leave home “Momonies.” In Germany it’s “Hotel Mama.” Japan’s “Stay at home adult children” are “Parasite Singles.” The scenario is one we have seen in the movies, with our neighbors and possibly in our home. Junior won’t leave. He has no intention of ever getting his own place. He goes on numerous job interviews that are futile toward securing him a job. He has a girlfriend or two and they are usually hanging out at your house too and eating your food. His clothes are in your hamper each Saturday to wash, and he forgets to fold them and put them away. Before long you are taking care of him much the way you did when he was eight. It may not be Junior; it may be your daughter Laura. That can be worse as Laura may have an unemployed boyfriend and/or a baby or two. Telling Laura “No” is easier than telling those little cherub faced grandchildren “No.” What is a parent to do? How did this situation happen and how can you stop it? Your friends and neighbors advise you to never let it happen from the beginning, but it is unclear how and when it happened. It is insidious and before you know it, you have your son, daughter, their partners and grandkids all in your extra bedrooms. It’s no longer just the two of you as you had imagined; the nest is so full someone is bound to fall out. Last week on Fox I received this question from a viewer.

Dear Mary Jo, My 19-year-old daughter has two kids of her own, and I sometimes think she uses her kids to get her way with me. I think I feel like I'm not a good mom. I want to put the grandkids first in this situation, so I end up taking care of them most of the time. What are your thoughts? Thanks, JJ

Dear JJ,

Wow, what a dilemma, but what an incredible opportunity to teach your young daughter healthy boundaries and change her life in a positive way. Preventing this sort of situation is always much easier then dealing with it after it happens. No matter what religious book you ascribe to, you will find that loving someone often includes being firm with them and mentoring strong boundaries. Even Christ loved with firmness. His love was gentle, but it also held others accountable for their actions. Your daughter needs this right now. Sit down by yourself and make a plan, and then work toward carrying it out.

Make an appointment with your daughter over lunch, tea, or in the evening when her child is asleep. Ask her for her plan. Be objective as much as you can, but also remind her nothing changes without a plan. You can propose that you will be backup babysitter, but make sure she knows how many hours that includes each week. Part of being a mom of small children is acknowledging you can no longer go out every night of the week. When you are a mom your children have to come first. You went through that with her when she was small. Now it is her turn. If you are always there to take the kids, you are robbing her of learning this very important lesson. If she has to pay for a babysitter she will learn that going out every night is expensive and she cannot afford it. If she makes the excuse that her pregnancy was an accident, you may do wise by reminding her, that becoming pregnant by accident can happen once. If it happens twice it is no longer an accident, it is recklessness. If it happens when you are not married and secure in a relationship it is selfish, and there are consequences. That new little soul deserves the best home possible. Tell her you are willing to help her organize her life and get on solid ground, but she will have to walk the walk. Remind her you have a life also, and you have to live it. Your grandchildren will feel your strength and genuine happiness in being with them if you are not feeling used. Thanks for writing, JJ. I hope this helps. Let me know how things are going with your new plan. MJO

JJ’s letter is a version of what parents who cannot get their kids out of the house deal with. However if your child never left, there is a very good reason they are happy to stay home. Below are steps to get them packing.

Begin with a plan. Make them write down their next year plan. Many kids say they cannot find a job; however, if you watch them fail interview after interview you may begin to see that the effort they are putting out is just enough to get you off their back. They have no intention of really getting a job. If they know the gravy train stops in a year, or whatever the plan is, often those interviews become more serious. If you never gave your child responsibility, beginning after college is too late. They need to understand and have a limited amount of resources from you up front. Present this as a “united front” with both mom and dad in agreement. Make sure they know that if they use alcohol, drugs, or smoking, their lease at home will be terminated. Any rule you don’t want broken, have in writing before their clothes are unpacked and in their closet. It isn’t uncommon to come home to a puppy or kitty in Junior or Laura’s room. If your child has you doing laundry, cooking meals, feeding them and their friends, charging rent is very helpful in teaching them responsibility. It is the single biggest motivator parents can use to help their child get on their feet again. Junior won’t like it, but getting a job and paying for services rendered is a fact of life. This situation of kids never leaving, or leaving and coming back, usually is more about parents not having strong boundaries. If your child has to move back, never allow that to happen without a plan upfront. You are not being a loving parent by letting your kids use you. You are actually enabling them to be helpless victims. Life is tough. Life is beautiful too. Most of us achieve happiness by feeling good about what we do and working for something we deem valuable, being rewarded by that dream coming true. Kids who never leave home have nothing to work for if parents continue to give them everything.

-Mary Jo Rapini

Posted: 2011-06-29 09:34:00 | Last Updated: 2011-06-29 09:34:00

FEMA Has Extended the Deadline for Alabama Tornado Survivors !

By WLDX

The Federal Emergency Management Agency has extended the deadline for Alabama tornado survivors to register for federal disaster assistance until July 18, 2011. The June action was taken at the request of Governor Bentley.

The deadline to submit loan applications to the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) also has been extended through July 18, 2011. While no one is required to take out an SBA loan, applications are a key part of the FEMA registration process, thus it is a must that they are returned. A loan denial may open up other assistance to eligible applicants.

If the loan is not approved, survivors may be referred to other programs for grants that can assist the homeowner or renter in replacing essential household items; it can also replace or repair damage vehicles or cover other serious disaster related needs.

“This three week extension provides Alabama Emergency Management Agency and FEMA additional opportunities to work with members of the community to encourage them to complete all necessary disaster documents,” said Alabama EMA Director Art Faulkner.

This extension will apply to all 43 counties declared for Individual Assistance.

Disaster survivors in the counties designated for Individual Assistance may apply online anytime at www.DisasterAssistance.gov, or call the FEMA helpline at 800-621-3362 (FEMA) or (TTY) 800-462-7585 for those with speech and hearing disabilities.

For SBA applications renters or homeowners may call SBA at 800-659-2955 or they can download the application from sba.gov.

Posted: 2011-06-27 14:01:00 | Last Updated: 2011-06-27 12:04:00

Time is running out for Alabama disaster survivors!

By WLDX

Time is running out for Alabama disaster survivors to register for federal assistance. Anyone who sustained damage to their home, vehicle, personal property or business during recent storms should register by Monday, June 27. You may be eligible for housing assistance, low-interest loans and other help. Register today by calling 800-621-FEMA. That's 800-621-3362 or visit disaster assistance dot com. Again disaster assistance dot com.

Posted: 2011-06-21 07:09:00 | Last Updated: 2011-06-21 07:09:00

FOUR DISASTER RECOVERY CENTERS OPEN UNTIL SATURDAY

By WLDX

BIRMINGHAM, Ala.-Disaster survivors will have their last chance to visit four Birmingham-area disaster recovery centers this week.

The following centers will close permanently at 6 p.m., Saturday, June 18:

Calhoun County

Webster's Chapel Methodist Church

1581 A.P. Hollingsworth Road

Wellington, Ala. 36279

Tuscaloosa County

Holt Elementary School

1001 Crescent Ridge Road

Tuscaloosa, Ala. 35404

Fayette County

Berry Civic Center

30 School Road

Berry, Ala. 35546

Walker County

Bevill State Community College

101 State St.

Sumiton, Ala. 35148

Since opening in early May, recovery specialists have provided one-to-one help to nearly 1,500 individuals, households and businesses. The Alabama Emergency Management Agency and the Federal Emergency Management Agency monitor visitor traffic at all Alabama recovery centers. A center closes if the information needs of a community have decreased. Survivors always can stay in touch with FEMA by choosing the helpline option at 800-621-FEMA (3362) or 800-462-7585 (TTY) for people with speech or hearing disabilities. The toll-free numbers are staffed 7 a.m. - 10 p.m., seven days a week until further notice. Multilingual registration assistance is available at both numbers. For online registration, visit www.DisasterAssistance.gov. Helpline staff can direct area residents to any of the fifteen remaining recovery centers if face-to-face guidance or help is needed. The closest one also can be found by going to www.fema.gov/drclocator. Center operating hours are 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Saturday. The centers are closed Sundays. The centers provide survivors a one-stop location to get information to help them through the recovery process. Representatives from AEMA, FEMA, U.S. Small Business Administration and other agencies staff the centers to explain disaster assistance programs and help survivors through the recovery process.

FEMA's mission is to support our citizens and first responders to ensure that as a nation we work together to build, sustain, and improve our capability to prepare for, protect against, respond to, recover from, and mitigate all hazards.

Disaster recovery assistance is available without regard to race, color, religion, nationality, sex, age, disability, English proficiency or economic status. If you or someone you know has been discriminated against, call FEMA toll-free at 800-621-FEMA (3362). For TTY call 800-462-7585.

Posted: 2011-06-15 12:46:00 | Last Updated: 2011-06-15 11:18:00

New information from FEMA on Alabama recovery and key messages for survivors

By WLDX

By the Numbers Statewide – As of June 14, 2011

81,153 individuals and households have registered for assistance.

$53.8 million in FEMA assistance to individuals and households has been approved (total includes $38.3 million approved for housing assistance, and $15.5 million for other needs assistance).

$35.1 million has been approved for SBA low-interest disaster loans.

5.9 million cubic yards of debris has been removed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, private contractors and local governments.

166 families are living in FEMA-provided manufactured homes; 146 on private sites and 20 in commercial parks.

_________________

Important Information from FEMA for Survivors

Survivors of the recent series of Alabama storms have less than two weeks left to register for federal disaster assistance.

Applications must be received by the Monday, June 27, deadline to be considered for disaster assistance from the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the Small Business Administration.

Anyone in the 43 counties eligible for Individual Assistance who was impacted by storms, tornadoes, straight-line winds or floods should apply for assistance, regardless of whether they have insurance or are unsure if they are eligible. Survivors should still contact their insurance companies and file necessary claims.

Low interest disaster SBA loans are available to homeowners, renters, and businesses of all sizes. They are the largest source of disaster funds to repair or replace damaged or destroyed personal property, making repairs to or rebuilding damaged structures. The deadline to return loan applications to SBA is also Monday, June 27.

Anyone who has not registered with FEMA for disaster aid, has questions about their applications or seeks more information about recovery programs should call FEMA’s toll-free helpline at 800-621-3362. People who are deaf or hard of hearing can call (TTY) 800-462-7585. Lines are open from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. and multilingual assistance is available. Online registration is available at www.DisasterAssistance.gov or through smartphone or tablet at m.fema.gov.

All disaster recovery centers are operating from 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday. Survivors can find the closest center by going to http://www.FEMA.gov/DRCLocator or by calling the FEMA helpline at 800-621-3362.

About the Other Needs Assistance Program

This often overlooked program can help with necessary expenses and serious disaster needs not covered by insurance or other sources.

Other Needs Assistance may be able to reimburse you for medical expenses not covered by insurance. If a tornado destroyed medications or medical equipment and caused an illness or medical emergency, the program may help cover eligible costs.

Dental costs relating to the disaster, such as tooth damage, dental surgery or dentures that were lost during a tornado may also be covered.

Program assistance may also be available if household income is below a certain level or if a tornado survivor doesn’t qualify for a low-interest disaster loan from the U.S. Small Business Administration.

Other Needs Assistance grants may be available to cover a range of necessities, including: repair or replacement of certain personal property, clothing, household furnishings, appliances, tools or computers needed to work, disaster-damaged vehicles, moving and storage of personal property to avoid further damage.

You can register by phone at 800-621-3362 from 7 a.m. until 10 p.m. local time or online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov. The TTY number is 800-462-7585.

FEMA hazard mitigation specialists are offering assistance at home improvement and hardware stores around Alabama throughout the summer.

FEMA mitigation specialists will be on hand at display tables to help tornado survivors build back stronger and safer. Mitigation specialists will answer questions, offer advice, provide information on low-cost construction materials and methods or talk with you about safe rooms. All advice is free of charge.

Posted: 2011-06-14 13:22:00 | Last Updated: 2011-06-14 13:22:00

AS YOUR HOUSING NEEDS CHANGE, GIVE FEMA A CALL

By WLDX

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - Are you living in a tent or camper on your property? Are you still staying in your damaged home? Or is living with relatives after the tornadoes not working out?

If you've changed your mind about not relocating, call the FEMA helpline at 800-621-3362 or the TTY number at 800-462-7585 for people who are deaf or hard of hearing. You can also update FEMA by visiting a disaster recovery center.

FEMA may be able to help if you are underinsured, have no insurance or a homeowner's policy that does not cover additional living expenses.

If you have additional living expenses as part of your insurance policy, but can't find a place to rent because of widespread devastation, FEMA may be able to help find a rental or put you in manufactured housing as a last resort. FEMA cannot duplicate insurance benefits, so any living expenses you receive from insurance would be paid back to the agency.

Survivors in the counties designated by the presidential disaster declaration who haven't registered for assistance are urged to do so by the June 27 registration deadline.

You can register using the following methods:

By phone, call 800-621-FEMA (3362) from7 a.m. to 10 p.m., local time. Assistance is available in many languages. The TTY number is 800-462-7585.

Anyone with questions about their application or where they are in the process should call the FEMA helpline (800-621-3362/TTY 800-462-7585) or visit a recovery center.

FEMA's mission is to support our citizens and first responders to ensure that as a nation we work together to build, sustain, and improve our capability to prepare for, protect against, respond to, recover from, and mitigate all hazards.

Disaster recovery assistance is available without regard to race, color, religion, nationality, sex, age, disability, English proficiency or economic status. If you or someone you know has been discriminated against, call FEMA toll-free at 800-621-FEMA (3362). For TTY call 800-462-7585.

Posted: 2011-06-13 07:02:00 | Last Updated: 2011-06-13 07:02:00

No Burn Order

By NWNews

Alabama Governor Robert Bentley issued a formal Declaration of Emergency Drought Condition on Tuesday, June 7 at the request of State Forester Linda Casey. All 67 counties in the state of Alabama were placed under the Drought Emergency, often referred to as a “No Burn Order,” which prohibits all outdoor burning.

Under the Drought Emergency rule, it is illegal for any person to set fire to any forest, grass, woods, wildlands or marshes; to build a campfire or bonfire; or to burn trash or other material that may cause a forest, grass, or woods fire. If convicted, the penalty for violating the No Burn Order is a fine of up to $500 and/or up to six months in jail. This No Burn Order will remain in effect until conditions change sufficiently to reduce the occurrence and frequency of wildfires. The limited amount of rain that fell in scattered areas of the state this week is not expected to relieve the situation significantly.

Posted: 2011-06-10 07:26:00 | Last Updated: 2011-06-10 07:26:00

Fayette Middle School and Fayette High School Football Team Meeting

By WLDX

All boys interested in playing football for Fayette Middle and Fayette High School for the upcoming 2011-2012 school year and parents are encouraged to attend a team meeting at the Fayette County High School Commons area on Friday, June 10 at 5:00pm.

Posted: 2011-06-09 18:09:00 | Last Updated: 2011-06-09 16:29:00

Time Running Out to Register for Disaster Assistance from FEMA

By WLDX

Survivors of the April tornadoes have until Monday, June 27, to register for disaster assistance from the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

Those who have suffered damage and loss and still have not applied for disaster assistance are strongly encouraged to do so quickly. This includes renters, homeowners and business owners.

The deadline to return a loan application to the Small Business Administration for physical damages is also Monday, June 27.

While survivors are not required to accept a disaster loan, completing the SBA application process is a key to receiving other assistance for impacted residents in the 42 designated counties.

Low interest disaster SBA loans are available to homeowners, renters and businesses of all sizes. They are the largest source of disaster funds to repair or replace damaged or destroyed personal property, making repairs to or rebuilding damaged structures to a functional condition.

There are several different ways survivors can register for disaster assistance:

Calling 800-621-FEMA (3362) from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m., local time, seven days a week. Assistance is available in many languages. TTY 800-462-7585 is available for individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing.

To date, more than 80,000 survivors in Alabama have registered for disaster assistance. Since the April 28 disaster declaration date, approximately $50 million in FEMA assistance has been approved to individuals.

Posted: 2011-06-09 08:36:00 | Last Updated: 2011-06-09 06:41:00

New Head Coach at Fayette

By WLDX

The Fayette County BOE hired a new head coach and a new principal for Fayette County High School Tuesday. The new head coach will be Lance Tucker. Tucker will replace his father Waldon Tucker who became the winnest coach in Alabama history his final year. Tucker comes with one year of head coaching experience but served as a assistant to his father for 10 years. The new principal for Fayette County High School will be Jeremey Madden. Madden has been the assistant principal at Fayette Elementary School. Both will replace two icons in Fayette County High School history. Radford Hestor and Coach Tucker both came to Fayette 28 years ago.

Posted: 2011-06-07 19:33:00 | Last Updated: 2011-06-07 19:33:00

ALABAMA AMBER ALERT CANCELED

By WLDX

Baby Daniel Jackson Lowe was found safe and sound.

UPDATE Daniel Jackson Lowe was last seen on Sunday evening, June 5, 2011 in Ariton, Alabama. Daniel and his two siblings Brian Dale Dacus III, and Charles Clinton Dacus were taken by unknown suspects in an alleged assault and carjacking. Two of the children were located; and now 3 month-old Daniel was found safe and sound.

Posted: 2011-06-07 12:37:00 | Last Updated: 2011-06-07 12:37:00

As Americans Lose Their Jobs, Senate Dems Won’t Perform Their Own

By WLDX

Click on Picture to view

“When you produce a budget, you have to set forth for the entire world—

the financial world, the American people,the political world, the individual citizens of this Republic—

what your plans are for the future.”

Posted: 2011-06-07 10:20:00 | Last Updated: 2011-06-07 10:46:00

AMBER ALERT

By WLDX

Daniel Jackson Lowe was last seen on Sunday evening, June 5, 2011 in Ariton, Alabama. Daniel and his two siblings Brian Dale Dacus III, and Charles Clinton Dacus were taken by unknown suspects in an assault and carjacking. The suspects are driving a 1996 Gray Isuzu Rodeo SUV with Alabama Plate number 61B93J9. Any information please contact Dale County Sheriff's Office at 334-774-2335.

Posted: 2011-06-06 06:21:00 | Last Updated: 2011-06-06 06:21:00

A Fayette Water Authority Announcement

By WLDX

Fayette County Water Authority would like to announce that water service will be interuppted on Monday, June 6 from 6:00 a.m. until 12:00 noon due to construction on the Hwy 102 Water Project. The following areas will be affected: Co. Rd 9, Sid-Stough Rd, Honeysuckle Loop, Otts Rd. and Fords Valley Rd. We apologize for the inconvience.

Washington, D.C. — Congressman Robert Aderholt (AL-04) Chairman of the Subcommittee on Homeland Security for the House Committee on Appropriations, today released the following statement after H.R. 2017, the Fiscal Year 2012 Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Appropriations bill, passed the U.S. House of Representatives by 231-188:

“Homeland security and fiscal discipline are both clear national priorities, and the bill passed today accomplishes both,” said Aderholt. “H.R. 2017 recognizes that more government and more money does not necessarily equal more security. The bill addresses the continued need for robust national security and disaster recovery, while also considering the unquestioned need for fiscal restraint and prioritizing taxpayers’ limited dollars toward vital security programs that will have an immediate impact on our nation’s safety and security.”

“H.R. 2017 fully funds frontline personnel, such as the Border Patrol, CBP officers, ICE agents, Coast Guard military personnel, and Secret Service agents, as well as fully funding all intelligence, watchlisting, and threat targeting functions. It increases disaster relief funds, providing vital resources to help our communities recover from the many recent vicious natural disasters. And finally reforms underperforming programs and implements robust oversight provisions, insisting upon results for each and every taxpayer dollar appropriated going forward. ”

“The passage of H.R. 2017 marks a great step toward fiscal responsibility and thank Chairman Rogers for his leadership and commitment to reducing spending and providing an open and transparent appropriations process. I am hopeful my colleagues in the Senate will take swift action and look forward to H.R. 2017’s final passage,” concluded Aderholt.

LaTourette (R-OH) /Pascrell (D-NJ) The amendment increases FEMA state and local firefighter assistance grants by $320 million, offset by a $63.3 million reduction in the Office of the Secretary of DHS, a $117.5 million reduction in the Office of the Undersecretary for Management, and a reduction of $139.2 million reduction in the Office of the Chief Information Officer. The amendment was adopted on a vote of 333-87.

Royce (R-CA) The amendment cuts funding in the Office of the Secretary at DHS by $1 million, and increases Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) by $1 million for the 287g program, which helps state and local entities investigate, detain, and arrest aliens on civil and crimi­nal grounds. The amendment passed on a vote of 268-151.

Broun (R-GA) The amendment cuts $600,000 from the Office of the Under Secretary for Management, and uses the funds to reduce the deficit. The amendment passed on a voice vote.

Poe (R-TX)The amendment increases funding for border security cell phone communications systems by $10 million, offset by a cut to the Office of the Under Secretary for Management. The amendment passed on a vote of 327-93.

King (R-IA)The amendment urges Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to remove the "lookout posts" and "spotter locations" located along the border.The amendment was adopted on a voice vote.

King (R-IA)The amendment will help preserve the "Shadow Wolves" – Native American Border Protection officers who enforce immigration laws primarily on reservations. The amendment was adopted on a voice vote.

Clarke (D-MI) The amendment strikes the provision in the bill that allows certain funds under the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to be targeted to the top 10 highest risk urban areas. The amendment passed on a vote of 273-150.

Richardson (CA) The amendment decreased, and then increased, the FEMA Disaster Relief Fund by $100 million in order to highlight the importance of the funding. The amendment was adopted on a voice vote.

Honda (D-CA)The amendment strikes language in the legislation prohibiting funds from being used for immigrant integration grants. The amendment was adopted on a voice vote.

Sessions (R-TX)The amendment strikes Section 514 of the bill, which prevents commercial activities in the government from competing with the private sector. The amendment passed on a vote of 218-204.

Lummis (R-WY) The amendment strikes language that allows the transfer of funds from DHS to the Department of the Interior for environmental mitigation efforts related to border security activities. The amendment passed on a voice vote of 238-177.

Carter (R-TX) The amendment prohibits the use of funds in the bill from being used for the Climate Change Adaption Task Force of the Department of Homeland Security. The amendment passed on a vote of 242-180.

Poe (R-TX) The amendment prohibits funds from being used in activities contrary to the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act. The amendment was adopted on a voice vote.

Poe (R-TX)The amendment prohibits the use of funds to parole an alien into the United States, or grant deferred action of a final order of removal, for any reason other than on a case-by-case basis for urgent humanitarian reasons or significant public benefit. The amendment was adopted on a voice vote.

Price (D-NC) –The amendment prohibits funds from being used to enforce requirements for cost sharing, spending restrictions, and program requirements on FEMA’s firefighter grants (SAFER), making the program into an operating subsidy for firefighter retention. The amendment passed on a vote of 264-157.

Scalise (LA) The amendment prohibits funds from being used to require an approved Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC) applicant to personally appear at a designated enrollment center for the purpose of TWIC issuance, renewal, or activation. The amendment was adopted on a voice vote.

Engel (D-NY) The amendment prohibits funds from being used by DHS to lease or purchase new light duty vehicles except in accordance with Presidential Memorandum-Federal Fleet Performance dated May 24, 2011 – which expands the use of alternative fuel vehicles by the federal government. The amendment was adopted on a voice vote.

King (R-IA)The amendment prohibits the use of funds from being made available to various individual entities that may have ties to the group formally known as ACORN. The amendment passed on a vote of 251-168.

Cravaak (R-MN) – The amendment prohibits the use of funds in violation of provisions in existing law related to the mandatory detention of criminal aliens. The amendment passed on a vote of 289-131.

Amash (R-MI) – The amendment would prohibit funding for political appointees to block, withhold or delay Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests. The amendment passed on a vote of 257-164.

Rokita (R-IN) –The amendment prohibits funding for the TSA to enter into collective bargaining agreements. These agreements could hamper the ability of TSA agents to respond to emergencies, and limit flexibility in response to emerging threats. The amendment passed on a vote of 218-205.

Jackson Lee (D-TX) The amendment prohibits funds from being used to limit the discretion of the Secretary to enhance the use of Federal Air Marshals on certain international flights. The amendment was adopted on a voice vote.

Cole (OK) –The amendment prohibits funds to implement rules, regulations, or an executive order that would require federal contractors to disclose political contributions. A requirement of this sort could have damaging consequences for private individuals and companies that do business with the federal government, due to the possibility of political affiliation being used as a factor in federal contract awards. The amendment passed on a vote of 252-170.

Mica (R-FL) – The amendment limits the amount made available to Transportation Security Administration to $2.76 billion for screener personnel, compensation, and benefits. The amendment passed on a vote of 219-204.

The Fayette County Sports Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony will be Saturday, June 4th at Bevill State Community College. A reception for inductees and families will take place from 5:30 pm until 6:15 pm in the Guthrie Smith Room. The Induction Ceremony and Banquet will be in the Earl McDonald Auditorium at 6:30 pm. Tickets for the event will be $15 each and can be purchased at Citizens Bank of Fayette and Fayette City Hall. The Inductees for 2011 are as follows:

(HealthNewsDigest.com) - WASHINGTON – From parades to somber ceremonies and moments of silence, on Memorial Day, Monday, May 30, Americans will honor the sacrifices of military men and women who paid the ultimate price in their service to our nation.

“The fallen warriors we honor on Memorial Day cherished liberty and freedom enough to lay down their lives to preserve our way of life,” said Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric K. Shinseki. “We owe them eternal gratitude and we must pass those sentiments on to future generations.”

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) will continue a tradition of hosting ceremonies at its national cemeteries and other facilities nationwide. Many of the programs are the centerpiece of Memorial Day events in their communities, honoring deceased Veterans and military members.

President Obama will speak at Arlington National Cemetery with VA Deputy Secretary W. Scott Gould in attendance.

Secretary Shinseki will deliver the keynote address at a Memorial Day ceremony at Fort Richardson National Cemetery in Alaska, emphasizing VA’s goal of improving service to Veterans in rural areas. VA’s Acting Under Secretary for Memorial Affairs, Steve Muro, will speak at the dedication of a new state Veterans cemetery in Newton, Miss. The Mississippi Veterans Memorial Cemetery was constructed with a VA grant of nearly $7 million. VA’s Assistant Secretary for Public and Intergovernmental Affairs, Tammy Duckworth, will lay a wreath at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific, then speak at the Hawaii State Veterans Ceremony.

More than 100,000 people are expected to attend activities at VA's national cemeteries, with color guards, readings, bands and choir performances. Events will honor more than one million men and women who died in military service during wartime, including more than 655,000 battle deaths.

At Rock Island National Cemetery in Illinois, Rep. Bobby Schilling will present the son of a deceased World War I veteran with his father’s Silver Star certificate.

Riders with the Buffalo Soldier Motorcycle Club of Albuquerque, N.M., will arrive at Santa Fe National Cemetery May 28 to lay a wreath at its memorial recognizing the unknown soldiers, women and children who died at the nearby site of the Army’s Fort Craig in the late 1800s. Many of the Fort Craig remains, including Buffalo Soldiers, were reburied in 1976 at other military cemeteries. Three Buffalo Soldiers were later identified and laid to rest in marked graves at Santa Fe National Cemetery. Buffalo Soldiers served in African American regiments that were given that name by the Indian tribes they fought and impressed with their bravery.

On May 29, at Riverside National Cemetery in Southern California --VA’s busiest -- volunteers will read aloud the names of more than 5,000 people who were buried there since last year’s Memorial Day.

VA maintains more than three million gravesites at its 131 national cemeteries. In 2010, VA conducted more than 111,800 burials in its national cemeteries. The number of annual interments is expected to increase over the next two years. This year’s budget for VA national cemetery operation and construction is nearly $446 million.

Memorial Day was originally called Decoration Day when the tradition of decorating Civil War graves began in 1866. It still brings loved ones to the graves of the deceased, often with flowers as grave decorations. To honor Veterans buried in national cemeteries, VA staff and volunteers typically place American flags -- either individual small ones on each grave, usually placed by volunteers, or “avenues of flags” flanking both sides of the cemetery main entrance road. Often these flags are the burial flags donated by next of kin of Veterans buried in the cemetery.

For the dates and times of Memorial Day weekend programs at VA national cemeteries, visit www.cem.va.gov.

Washington, D.C. — Congressman Robert Aderholt (AL-04), Chairman of the Subcommittee on Homeland Security for the House Committee on Appropriations that is responsible for funding FEMA, issued the following statement today 30 days after tornadoes swept through Alabama and the Southeast:

“As relief and recovery efforts are fully underway in Alabama, devastating tornadoes and floods continue to ravage other parts of the country,” said Aderholt. “My thoughts and prayers remain with the victims of these recent vicious natural disasters and their families.”

“Just last week I met with Governor Bentley, Alabama EMA and FEMA officials at the Joint Field Office in Birmingham to discuss the progress of the recovery efforts across the state. Although great progress is being made on the ground, there is no end in sight to the recovery work that’s being done. And as costs estimates, damage reports and disaster relief requests continue to pour in, it’s clear Alabama will be seeking the federal resources necessary to appropriately deal with the worst set of storms the state has seen in 75 years.”

“Since meeting with officials in Birmingham, disasters have continued to rage across the Midwest and the South, further confirming the strain being placed on federal disaster resources. This week, back in Washington, I put forth an amendment to the Department of Homeland Security’s Appropriations bill, providing $1 billion in supplemental emergency funds to ensure FEMA’s Disaster Relief fund remains solvent for the rest of this year and recovery efforts are not interrupted, so those affected by these horrific disasters can continue to receive assistance. I’m hopeful my colleagues will join me in supporting this measure and look forward to its final passage in both the House and the Senate in the near future.”

“We’re on the road to recovery and we’re on it together. I’m encouraged by the relief efforts that continue on the ground, as well as the coordination between all officials involved in this recovery process. And I know Alabamians strength and resiliency will see us through and will come back, better than ever,” concluded Aderholt.

Aderholt, currently serves as Chairman of the Subcommittee on Homeland Security for the powerful House Appropriations Committee, is a member of the Committee’s Commerce, Justice and Science; and Agriculture Subcommittees, and also serves on the Helsinki Commission.

Kenny Chesney will be performing May 25th at the Tuscaloosa Amphitheater. Congratulations to the Lucky winners!

Posted: 2011-05-23 13:22:00 | Last Updated: 2011-05-24 09:17:00

LAMAR, TUSCALOOSA COUNTIES DESIGNATED FOR PERMANENT WORK

By WLDX

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - Lamar and Tuscaloosa counties have been designated for public assistance, Categories C-G, as part of Alabama's federal disaster declaration, according to officials from the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

Under Categories C-G, FEMA provides reimbursement for permanent work, such as roads and bridges, water control plants, public buildings, utilities, and parks and recreational areas.

Both counties were already designated for public assistance for debris removal and emergency protective measures (Categories A-B), as well as individual assistance.

FEMA's mission is to support our citizens and first responders to ensure that as a nation we work together to build, sustain, and improve our capability to prepare for, protect against, respond to, recover from, and mitigate all hazards.

Disaster recovery assistance is available without regard to race, color, religion, nationality, sex, age, disability, English proficiency or economic status. If you or someone you know has been discriminated against, call FEMA toll-free at 800-621-FEMA (3362). For TTY call

800-462-7585.

The social media links provided are for reference only. FEMA does not endorse any non-government websites, companies or applications.

FEMA's temporary housing assistance and grants for public transportation expenses, medical and dental expenses, and funeral and burial expenses do not require individuals to apply for an SBA loan. However, applicants who receive SBA loan applications must submit them to SBA loan officers to be eligible for assistance that covers personal property, vehicle repair or replacement, and moving and storage expenses.

Posted: 2011-05-19 07:33:00 | Last Updated: 2011-05-19 07:33:00

Protection from home repair fraud needed in storm aftermath

By WLDX

Montgomery--In the aftermath of the recent storms throughout the state, home repair work is a necessity. Unfortunately, unscrupulous contractors can take advantage of homeowners in need. There are several important factors to consider in hiring someone to perform repair or remodeling work on your home.

Following are some tips from the Home Builders Association of Alabama for finding qualified, reputable contractors:

Investigate the reputation and experienceof the contractor. Seek referralsfrom friends, family, neighbors and co-workers who have had remodeling work done.Check with your local Home Builders Associationfor names of remodeler members. Membership in the Home Builders Association indicates a remodeler's commitment to professional customer service and quality construction.

Check with your local or state consumer protection agency or Better Business Bureauto find out if any unresolved complaints have been filed against the remodeler.

Check with the Alabama Home Builders Licensure Board to verify that the remodeler has the appropriate license (if required) and a clean record. The state homebuilders and remodelers license is required when the job is more than $10,000; however, consumers are encouraged to seek our licensees even when the repair job is less than $10,0000.

The Home Builders Licensure Board has published its list of currently licensed residential homebuilders in Alabama on its website, www.hblb.state.al.us.

Request copies of the remodeler's insurance certificatesto verify that he or she carries insurance that protects you from claims arising from property damage or job site injuries.

Don’t compare apples to oranges –when evaluating bids from contractors, make sure they are based on identical project specifications.

Be wary of a contractor who asks for a full paymentbefore the job has begun -- a payment schedule should be part of your written agreement - and may be tied to benchmarks such as completing various phases of the job.

The attorney general’s office has established a hotline to take consumer complaints about home repair fraud. If you think that you have been the victim of home repair fraud, call (800) 392-5658.

To find out if a builder or remodeler is licensed, contact the Home Builders Licensure Board at (800) 304-0853.

For more information about protecting and repairing your home from storm damage, visit the Disaster Resource section of the HBAA website, www.hbaa.org.

Posted: 2011-05-18 06:17:00 | Last Updated: 2011-05-18 06:17:00

Locations of Recovery Centers For Tornado Victims.

By WLDX

DISASTER RECOVERY CENTERS open in Fayette (Berry), Marion, Walker Counties to help survivors of the

April tornadoes. Recovery specialists there can answer questions about:

o FEMA housing assistance;

o Disaster recovery guidance;

o SBA disaster loan program information; and

o The status of your FEMA application.

The recovery center for Fayette County (Berry) will be located at the Berry Civic Center, Marion County is located at the Old Indies House Plant located on Highway 172and the recovery center for Walker County is located at Cordova High School on School Road. All disaster recovery centers are open from 7:00 am. to 7:00 pm. seven days a week until further notice. T0 contact FEMA you can call 1-800--621-FEMA (3362) or the TTY number will be 1-800-462-7585.

Posted: 2011-05-17 06:38:00 | Last Updated: 2011-05-17 04:45:00

March For Jesus Saturday, May 21, 2011

By WLDX

The March for Jesus will be held Saturday, May 21st at 9 am. The theme this year will be Revelations 11:15 "And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever". Participants of this years event will sign in at the Fayette Depot and march to the Civic Center. If anyone is unable to march , they can sign in at the Fayette Depot and meet everyone at the Civic Center. Balloons with scriptures tied to the balloons will be released at the Civic Center. Also thanks to Rick Hanna of McDonalds the first 50 marchers to arrive between 8:15 am - 8:30 am will recieve a hot sausage biscuit. Come and lets fellowship and celebrate Jesus and thank him for all his many blessings that he has given us.

Posted: 2011-05-16 08:21:00 | Last Updated: 2011-05-20 11:06:00

PCA Rodeo Comes To Fayette!

By WLDX

The Fayette County Cattlemen's Association presents PCA Rodeo Friday, May 13th and Saturday May 14th. The rodeo will start each night at 7:30 pm at the multi-purpose complex. There will be bull riding, bronco riding, barrel racing, roping, gold rush, greased pig, chicken chase, and you also can try your luck on the mechanical bull for $5. Admission is $10 for adults, 6-12 $5, and 5 & under FREE.

Posted: 2011-05-13 08:49:00 | Last Updated: 2011-05-13 08:49:00

A Modified Version For Relay For Life This Friday

By WLDX

Due to the recent devastation in our community the Fayette County Relay for Life Committee would like to announce that a modified version of Relay will take place on Friday, May 13th. We will have the Survivor Dinner at 6pm in the Earl McDonald Auditorium at Bevill State and a luminaria ceremony at 8:30pm in the parking lot at Bevill. Many of our Relay members have lost their homes and loved ones due to the recent tornado in our county and the surrounding areas. We, as a committee, wish to extend our heartfelt condolences and prayers to our neighbors and their families during this horrific time in their lives. We want to continue to honor our cancer survivors and remember the ones we have lost as we do every year just on a smaller scale. Although, we will always accept donations for the American Cancer Society we will not be selling anything but t-shirts on this particular night. At this time our money and time can be put toward the immediate needs of the citizens in our community. For more information please contact Angie Stough at 270-1901.

Posted: 2011-05-10 09:45:00 | Last Updated: 2011-05-10 09:45:00

OX BODIES DONATING MATERIALS FOR STORM RELIEF EFFORTS

By WLDX

Fayette, Ala.— Dump body manufacturer Ox Bodies is helping residents of Tuscaloosa recover after the devastating storms of April 27th. As part of its recovery efforts, Ox Bodies has donated over $20,000 in mesh and vinyl tarps to aid in the clean up and rebuilding of the surrounding area.

According to Ox Bodies marketing manager, Debbie Puckett, helping out is part of being a member of the community. She said, “Ox Bodies is very community oriented. There isn’t a person at our facility that hasn’t been affected in some way by these storms. We knew we had to do something and this was one way we can help by providing useful materials that may not be easy to find.”

According to Puckett, Ox Bodies is planning future donations. The tarps donated are a first step by Ox Bodies and are being distributed through Temporary Emergency Services of Tuscaloosa.

Ox Bodies employs over 80 people at its Fayette, Ala., manufacturing facility and has been operating there since 1972. Ox Bodies is a leading designer, manufacturer and installer of medium and heavy duty dump bodies, platforms, trash bodies and related truck body accessories.

Posted: 2011-05-09 07:44:00 | Last Updated: 2011-05-09 07:44:00

US Department of Labor provides $10 million grant to help Alabama residents recover from severe storms

By WLDX

WASHINGTON— The U.S. Department of Labor today announced a $10 million National Emergency Grant to assist with cleanup and recovery efforts in the wake of the severe storms, tornadoes, straight-line winds and flooding that struck Alabama last month.

“The scenes of devastation in Alabama are heartbreaking,” said Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis. “Today’s grant will help the people of Alabama get back on their feet. I am pleased that my department has the opportunity to offer assistance to clean up and repair the affected communities.”

The funds are being awarded to the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs and will be used to create temporary jobs to assist in recovery efforts.

President Obama has declared the state of Alabama a disaster area. On April 28, the Federal Emergency Management Agency declared all 67 counties in Alabama eligible for FEMA’s Public Assistance Program. The counties of Bibb, Calhoun, Cullman, DeKalb, Elmore, Fayette, Franklin, Hale, Jackson, Jefferson, Lawrence, Limestone, Madison, Marion, Marshall, Saint Clair, Tallapoosa, Tuscaloosa and Walker have been targeted by the state for assistance under this grant. Additional counties may be included at a later date if further evaluation warrants their inclusion. More information on designated disaster areas in Alabama is available from FEMA at http://www.fema.gov/news/event.fema?id=14232.

Posted: 2011-05-06 09:31:00 | Last Updated: 2011-05-06 09:31:00

WLDX Visits Boley and Flatwoods

By WLDX

Picture depicts what is left of the home of Carrie Terry. See more pictures after the story.

WLDX traveled to Boley and Flatwoods in Fayette County to try to find out specific needs of the tornado victims.

Upon visiting the first location in the Flatwoodsarea, TeresaBonner and her father Grady Bonner, who had their home

completely blown away and are currently living in a camper trailer using generators for power, shared that their current

need was they were hoping to get assistance to set up a temporary power pole.The father and daughter also

would like for anyone that would donate and operate heavy equipment and bulldozers to help clear the property of the devastation.

Also, Grady Bonner lost 2 vehicles in the storm, and is a low income retiree; neither vehicle had insurance and if there

may be anyone who may have a vehicle to donate to Grady Bonner, please call 205-242-0562

Also losing her entire home to the April tornado was Carrie Terry in the same Flatwoods area. In 1974 Carrie and her

husband (deceased 1982) had moved the house which according to Mrs Terry was an old miner’s home to the

Flatwoods area. Due to losing absolutely everything in the April storm, and when asked of a specific need, she

told WLDX that shewas having a hard time thinking of an immediate need, but did say once she had a place for it, she

would love for someone to donate agood recliner. Mrs Terry told much of what happened during the storm but hope to

have Mrs. Terry share her tornado story live on WLDX

Upon visiting the Boley Volunteer Fire Department, Christie Bonner a storm victim volunteer for the area told WLDX

of a few specific immediate needs: They are looking for someone who is willing to donate size 4X men’s shirts.

Also injured in the storm and with bigger feet (Gerald Brown) looking for a size 10 (triple EEE) shoe with good

support soles and preacher Raymond Kimbrell is in need of size 12 (triple EEE) dress shoe.

Also the Boley Volunteer Fire Department set up an account at the Bank of Berry, The Boley Fire Department Relief Fund

for anyone that wishes to make monetary donations.The donations will be divided by the 20 families who lost everything.

Friday for Lunch and for Supper the Bankston Stough Volunteer Fire Department will set up at the Boley Fire Department

and cook for the Boley and Flatwoods community , these meals will be for the first response workers and the community

of Boley/Flatwoods.

If you would like to help with a specific need to help these 20 families in Fayette County who lost everything contact

volunteer Jarred & Angie Brown 205-471-5340

In the Tuscaloosa area, they still have a need for baby supplies, diapers & wipes If you would like to donate take to the

distribution center at the Alabama Forestry Commission the NW Regional Office at the Fire College in Tuscaloosa,

contact Ruth Garner 205-270-8735.

You can also report storm damage by calling FEMA at 1-800-621-3362 or visit their website at www.fema.gov

Posted: 2011-05-04 09:54:00 | Last Updated: 2011-05-05 10:39:00

Baseball State Playoffs Rescheduled

By WLDX

The second round of the State Playoffs in baseball scheduled for Monday and Tuesday have been

rescheduled for Wednesday at 4:00pm. The Fayette County Tigers will meet Haleyville for two games on

Wednesday and if needed a game on Thursday. The games will be played at Fayette County High School

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. - Alabama National Guard soldiers responded quickly and proficiently in response to Governor Robert Bentley’s mobilization of the Alabama National Guard this week. The Guardsmen were mobilized to provide emergency assistance to areas of Alabama that were affected by the tornado Wednesday. Tuscaloosa, Ala., is one of the hardest hit areas in the state, and soldiers from the 31st Chemical Brigade in Northport, Ala., are some of the troops assisting with the cleanup.

The Crescent Ridge area of Tuscaloosa is almost unrecognizable. Houses are leveled, trailers are torn to pieces, personal belongings are scattered about and trees are uprooted. The devastation is widespread and soldiers are assisting by setting up traffic control points, removing debris and providing security patrols, among other support.

Sgt. Fadra Brown with the 31st Chem. Bde. is one of the more than 1,500 National Guard soldiers that has been activated in Alabama. Brown did not miss a beat in accomplishing her mission.

As soon as her boots hit the ground on Saturday she began assisting the Wooley family with searching for anything that could be salvaged from their home.

Brown was not the only Soldier from the 31st Chem. Bde. who helped this family sift through the rubble. Spc. Robert Boettner and Spc. Matthew Cole were part of the team that worked with the Wooley family.

“I dug through the wreckage, moved destroyed appliances and searched as far down as I could go,” said Cole. “I wanted to help them find as much as I could.”

Boettner dug a child’s bicycle out of the wreckage and took it to the family’s collection of recovered belongings they had in stacks next to a tree. This, among family photos and other keepsakes that were found, were the only mementos the family had to hold on to.

“You can replace a microwave or a stove, but you can’t replace the memories that pictures capture. That’s what I was looking for. Pictures they could hold on to,” Cole said.

Posted: 2011-05-02 07:01:00 | Last Updated: 2011-05-02 05:07:00

Fayette County Schools Closed Thursday and Friday

By WLDX

Fayette County Schools will be closed Thursday and Friday due to power outage and area wide damage.

According to Alabama Power reresentative Keisa Sharpe. the area wide power outages are due to high winds that caused major damage to the main transmission lines and several power structures that feed electricity to Fayette, Hamilton and North. Storm restoration efforts are in full swing and as they assess the damage they are restoring.

As of yesterday the phone system called out to all parents to notify them of school being closed for Friday also.

The Alabama Baseball Coaches Association will honor its four 2010-2011 scholarship recipients Sunday, May 1, during a pre-game ceremony prior to the Montgomery Biscuits and Jacksonville Suns Southern League game at Riverwalk Stadium. The game is scheduled to start at 2:05 p.m.

Barry Dean, ALABCA Executive Director, and the ALABCA Scholarship Committee members will be on hand to honor three scholarship recipients: T.J. Lindsey of Russellville High School, Luke Mould of Athens High Schools and Evan Sims of Fayette County High School. Each will receive a $1,500 scholarship from the ALABCA. The fourth scholarship recipient will be Clay Holmes of Slocomb High School, who will receive the prestigious “Joe Mason Scholarship,” which distinguishes him as the ALABCA Student-Athlete of-the-year. That scholarship is $2,000.

The Biscuits and Montgomery Chamber of Commerce are co-sponsors of the event. The recipients and their families will enjoy the game from the Chamber of Commerce’s Riverwalk Stadium Suite as their special guests.

The scholarships are funded by the support of Troy University and the proceeds raised at the ALABCA’s All-Star Weekend held each late June at Troy University, which showcases the state’s high school talent in a series of drills, seminars and games. The four scholarship recipients will also be honored on June 23 at the ALABCA All-Star Weekend Banquet at Troy University, a banquet attended by 160 prep players from across the state.

Posted: 2011-04-26 08:47:00 | Last Updated: 2011-04-26 06:54:00

Gas Is Too High - I'll Have to Quit My Job!

By WLDX

(HealthNewsDigest.com) - Lois is a 65 year-old "care giver" in Pennsylvania's Pocono Mountains. Five days per week she tends to her client, a ninety-year old woman with a pacemaker. Her job is to bathe her, do the cooking, shopping, cleaning, make sure her client takes her pills, and to keep her client in good spirits. Lois is about to quit her job because she can no longer afford gas. Are you in the same situation?

Lois' gross salary every two-weeks is $476.00, after taxes. She leaves her house every day at 8:30am and drives 44 miles round-trip to tend to her patient. She spends $120.00 on gas EVERY WEEK. She recently got a raise of 26 cents per hour. She has no medical insurance (since the recession, her company can no longer afford it).

"I'll have to quit my job, I can no longer afford the gas" she said, when I asked her how she was getting along. "It's very gratifying work, that's why I do it" she replied when asked.

How many of you find yourself in the same situation? Have you avoided driving to your favorite restaurant, movie? Is entertainment of any sort out of the question? If we don't spend, how is the economy going to improve? Not by pouring our hard-earned dollars down a well. Send your Congressman/Woman an email,or twitter:

"Gas Is Too High - I'll Have to Quit My Job!"

Posted: 2011-04-25 06:21:00 | Last Updated: 2011-04-25 06:21:00

A New Book Coming Out Entitled Family Tradition: Three Generations of Hank Williams by Susan Masino

By WLDX

MONTCLAIR, N.J. – Hank Williams, Sr., died on New Year’s Day 1953, at the age of 29, but, although his time on Earth was brief, his influence on those close to him and on the American culture as a whole was immense. He left behind some of the greatest country music ever recorded and a young son who faced the burden of living up to his father’s reputation.

Family Tradition: Three Generations of Hank Williams by Susan Masino (Backbeat Books, $24.99), is the first book to examine the Hank Williams family legacy and tell with complete truth the evocative story of country music’s greatest ongoing story – the lives of Hank Williams, Sr.; Hank, Jr.; and Hank III.

Masino begins the story in the present day with Hank III, from whom she received unprecedented access, explaining how despite some early traumas – revealed here for the first time – and the weight of two generations of expectations, he has somehow found a way to reconcile his namesake’s deep-rooted twang and high-lonesome sound with a particularly searing strain of punk and heavy metal.

Masino then travels back in time to uncover just what kind of rebel mojo inspired this crazed family of country music. Hank, Sr., became known as the “Hillbilly Shakespeare,” but his reputation was constantly in jeopardy due to his drug- and alcohol-fueled erratic behavior, which eventually got him kicked out of the Grand Ole Opry. Hank, Jr., groomed by his domineering mother to follow in his father’s footsteps, never had a chance to develop his own style. Only after a near-death experience of his own was he able to step away from his father’s shadow and create his own brand of country music.

Family Tradition: Three Generations of Hank Williams is both unique and vast in its scope. It is the story of a family that made its first indelible mark on American music more than 60 years ago, and continues to influence it today.

Posted: 2011-04-21 07:02:00 | Last Updated: 2011-04-21 07:14:00

Sessions: ‘Not Everyone In Washington Living In Same Reality’

By WLDX

WASHINGTON—In the wake of yesterday’s report that credit rating agency Standard & Poor’s was assigning a negative outlook to the U.S. rating, and in the face of growing domestic and international calls for the United States to address its long-term deficits, U.S. Sen. Jeff Sessions (R-AL), Ranking Member of the Senate Budget Committee, issued the following statement:

“Not everyone in Washington is living in the same reality. We are spending and borrowing our way into an economic crisis and yet Democrat leaders refused to cut even $61 billion from this year’s budget. Meanwhile, the president continues to request dramatic spending increases for next year in the only formal budget submission we have received. In his recent speech on the deficit he offered no specific spending cuts and repeated his existing request for tax hikes included in his current budget, which doubles our national debt. And the president pushed his target dates out twelve years—failing to recognize the immediacy of our problem. In order to prevent a looming debt crisis, and restore economic confidence and job creation, I hope the president will work with lawmakers to dramatically reduce federal spending that has grown the debt nearly $4 trillion since President Obama took office.”

Posted: 2011-04-19 11:00:00 | Last Updated: 2011-04-19 11:00:00

Stop the Wheezing: Advice for Preventing and Treating Allergies

By WLDX

(HealthNewsDigest.com)—It is possible to manage-and even prevent-the sniffles, sneezes, breathing difficulties and itchy eyes that come from allergies. An estimated 50 million Americans suffer from allergies, according to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America, and most think there isn’t much they can do. But persistent allergies should be treated—not just because they are annoying but because they can lead to other conditions, says Dr. Joshua Riff. While there’s no known cure for allergies, Dr. Riff says symptoms can be treated. Here he clears the air on common allergy misconceptions and shares advice on keeping allergies in check:

Common Misconceptions

Q. Are allergies a serious health problem?

A. Yes. One of the misconceptions about allergies is that they are no big deal. But allergies really disrupt the lives of sufferers and, left untreated, can lead to chronic respiratory diseases including asthma and sinusitis.

Q. What other misconceptions do people have about allergies?

A. The most common myth about allergies is that there is nothing you can do except put on a brave face and suffer. With some basic knowledge, the right over-the-counter regimen and a medical professional’s care, you can help prevent allergies or decrease the severity of symptoms.

Q. Is it really possible to prevent allergies?

A. Absolutely. As with many common health issues, the No. 1 step is prevention. Just knowing the common triggers—pollen, dust mites, mold, animal dander and cigarette smoke—and avoiding them is one of the best ways to keep allergies at bay.

Preventing and Avoiding Triggers

Q. How do you avoid triggers that are all around us?

A. For allergy triggers like dust mites, it’s important to dust and vacuum weekly and wash and change sheets often. For those who react to pet hair, simply keeping pets out of the bedroom can make a big difference. Adding an air filter to the room also will help.

Q. What about seasonal allergies?

A. Believe it or not, one of the simplest ways to prevent a reaction to pollen triggers is to wash your hands after being outdoors. For people who suffer from grass allergies, studies suggest wearing a face mask and glasses while cutting the lawn or doing other yard work. People with severe pollen allergies may want to avoid going outside during peak pollen hours (10 a.m. to 4 p.m.) whenever possible. In addition, some medications, over the counter or prescription, can be taken before allergies develop. This prevents you from suffering and having to start treatment once your airway passages are already swollen.

Q. What if prevention doesn’t work?

A. If avoiding triggers isn’t enough, a trip to the pharmacy may be in order. Highly effective antihistamines that once required prescriptions are now available over the counter. Allegra is the newest medication to join the nonprescription list. Your pharmacist can help you pick the best product to treat your specific symptoms and triggers.

Q. When should I see a doctor?

A. If these prevention tactics combined with nonprescription medications don’t help or if your allergies are interfering with your life, it’s time to see your physician for assessment.

Must-Have Anti-Allergy Products

Dr. Riff suggests stocking up on the following items to prevent, manage and treat allergies:

• Allergy-relief antihistamines

• Air filters to reduce the amount of dander

• Dehumidifier to help control mold

• To-go tissue packs

• Up & up hand sanitizer

• Eye drops

• Nasal spray

• Mattress and pillow covers.

Posted: 2011-04-18 14:05:00 | Last Updated: 2011-04-18 12:09:00

Sugarland Ticket Winners

By WLDX

Congratulations, to our “Sugarland” ticket winners. Thank you to all who participated in the contest and all your entries were deserving of being winners. We only had 3 sets of tickets for our faithful listeners and here is a what 2 of our winners wrote in to say about WLDX.

Larry King wrote:

It so great to know that here in our small town of Fayette, AL. we have such an informative radio station for our local news, events and announcements.

But in this day of so many of us finding out information and communicating over the internet it is great to know that our radio station WLDX has such an informative website also. For the people working all these crazy shifts now a days you can go to the website anywhere you are and listen to WLDX, keep up with Fayette’s local news and events plus the best world news from FOX News network. I am so glad to see that the website does not leave out postings by our local church’s and the reading God’s word each morning on the air.

I am amazed at all the areas that are covered, items you want to buy or sell, birthdays, anniversaries, funerals and everything that is happening not only in our community but the surrounding communities. Postings of events such as the Sugarland concert at the Tuscaloosa Amphitheater and giving our community a chance to win tickets to attend.There is nowhere else in the Fayette area that you can go and find out this much information in one place, no not even the coffee shop.

What is my favorite local website??? WLDX.com!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Ashley McCaleb wrote:

I enjoy looking at your website each and everyday! It keeps me udated on the news in our big city, and I always check the funerals to see if I have a loved one or friend that has passed. Another awesome thing is "Switch N Swap". I have found things for me, my friends, and sold some items on it. It is also great to have a local radio station at home, with great owners that care about our community, and take pride in their own website. It is always the first thing I check in the mornings when I get to my desk! LOVE IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Thanks for providing your listeners, and watchers, a great service!!!

Our Morning Call winner was Janet Watkins. She was our 5th caller and with all smiles. We appreciate everyone that called and continue to listen to your favorite local station, WLDX and visit us online at wldx.com.

Posted: 2011-04-15 08:49:00 | Last Updated: 2011-04-15 10:26:00

Weather Being Monitored For SugarLand Concert

By WLDX

Mayor Maddox and City Officials are monitoring weather forecasts for the Sugarland Concert this Friday night at the Tuscaloosa Amphitheater. You can go to Twitter around 4 p.m. to see what will happen. Click the link below

The Tuscaloosa Amphitheater will have SUGARLAND with special guest LITTLE BIG TOWN and MATT NATHANSON Friday, April 15th. Someone can win a pair of tickets by emailing wldx@wldx.com and tell us what you love about our website. WLDX will announce the winner Friday, April 15th during Morning Call.

Posted: 2011-04-12 10:20:00 | Last Updated: 2011-04-14 11:26:00

State Board of Veterans Affairs Elects First Woman Vice-Chair

By WLDX

MONTGOMERY – Delores “Dee” Hardin of Prattville has become the first woman to serve as Vice Chair of the State Board of Veterans Affairs. Board members elected Hardin to the post by unanimous vote at an April 1 meeting in Montgomery.

Hardin, a retired Air Force Master Sgt., has dedicated most her life serving her country and helping veterans in her community and state.

In 2003, Hardin became the first woman to serve as commander of the American Legion Department of Alabama - the largest veterans service organization in the state with over 15,000 members. She also served two terms as commander of American Legion, Post 122, in Prattville.

Hardin was appointed to a four-year term on the state VA board by Gov. Bob Riley in 2005. She was elected deputy vice chair of the board after her reappointment in 2009.

During her military career, Hardin earned Associate Degrees in Management and Food Technology. After retiring in 1992, she completed her Bachelor of Science Degree in Biology from Auburn University.

Hardin is an environmentalist with the Alabama Department of Public Health and serves as a member of the Alabama Environmental Health Association, Veterans of Foreign Wars, American Legion Auxiliary and AMVETS.

The State Board of Veterans Affairs was created by legislation in 1945 to serve as the governing body of the Alabama Department of Veterans Affairs. The department is charged to provide benefits and services to Alabama veterans, their families and survivors.

Posted: 2011-04-07 06:17:00 | Last Updated: 2011-04-07 04:19:00

Breakfast Grains: Enrich Your Morning

By WLDX

I'm an oatmeal kind of girl. Not the processed packets that are full of sugar, but the quick-cooking kind. One-minute or five-minute, makes no matter, I can whip it up while the tea kettle or coffeepot does its thing. I like to experiment with my oatmeal, adding spices, flavors, whatnots. I make a chai-spiced oatmeal that smells heavenly. Cooking the oats with some chopped crystallized ginger and stirring in ginger syrup or agave helps settle a stomach and tastes great. Dried cranberries and chopped toasted pecans are nice, as is plain old brown sugar and cream. You are only limited to your imagination and your pantry when it comes to adding flavor to this old standby.

My husband likes Cream of Wheat, the hot cereal of his youth. I didn't try this until college, and actually got used to it. Cream of Wheat seems to have fallen out of favor of late, and while it doesn't have the texture of oatmeal, it is a healthy breakfast alternative. Only 120 calories, no fat and no cholesterol. Currently there are 8 varieties of Cream of Wheat on the market, from the traditional 10-minute variety to instant flavored versions.

Then there is Cream of Rice, also about 120 calories, with no fat, salt or cholesterol. Like Cream of Wheat, there is only 1 gram of fiber, and whatever you add to it for flavor will up the calorie content. But both of these cereals are easy on the stomach and good for children and adults alike.

My new favorite is muesli. When VirginAmerica first flew out of San Francisco, they served a little trio of breakfast treats on morning flights, one of which was the most delicious muesli I have ever had. It generated my interest in this Swiss-born breakfast food and wish I had paid more attention to the ingredients at the time, as they have discontinued it from their service. I seem to remember oatmeal, dried coconut, dried apricots, and yogurt. Nonetheless, it did get me thinking about this simple mixture. Available in grocery and health food stores, it can also be made at home without too much muss or fuss.

Muesli is not unlike a raw granola and has three major components:

Cereal: This makes the base of the muesli, constituting roughly 75% of the mixture. Rolled oats are the most common ingredient, but you can mix and match, using several of the following: wheat flakes, rolled oats, rye flakes, barley kernels, wheatgerm. For a shortcut, use Bob's Red Mill 7 Grain Hot Cereal, which contains 7 grains plus flaxseed.

Nuts: Nuts add a crunch quality to the muesli, and should be coarsely chopped (or sliced), not used whole. Almonds, pecans and walnuts are predominant in most prepared muesli mixes, but you can also use one or more of the following: brazil nuts, cashews, coconut, hazelnuts, macadamia nuts, pumpkin seeds, sesame seeds, or sunflower seeds.

Fruit: Dried fruit is best for prepared mixes, but fresh fruit can be added upon serving. Any dried fruit that suits your taste will work: raisin, cranberry, apple, apricot, banana, coconut, date, etc. When using fresh fruit, finely dice or grate. Apples, bananas, stone fruit, and berries work best.

You can either eat your muesli soaked or dry. For soaked muesli: the night before serving, soak in either water, milk (dairy or other), yogurt, or apple juice. For dry muesli, add yogurt and fresh fruit. You can also heat your soaked muesli in the microwave for a short period of time. To sweeten, add honey, agave, ginger syrup, or maple syrup. You can also add cinnamon or other spices for added flavor.

As you can see, the ingredient list is full of healthy items. Whole grains, nuts, and fruit, all elements of a healthy diet. Oatmeal and other grains are rich in fiber, and oatmeal can be helpful in reducing cholesterol. Many nuts contain healthy Omega-3 fatty acids, beneficial in fighting heart disease, lowering cholesterol, and providing anti-inflammatory benefits. Omega-3s can also help with some forms of skin problems and has been reported to ward off Alzheimer's disease. Serving the muesli with milk or yogurt increases your calcium intake, and provides additional protein.

Think about giving up the boxed, processed cereals in favor of nature's bounty—oats, rice, wheat. All of the above are great warm, which is perfect for chilly winter and spring weather. And isn't about time you gave your tastebuds a change?

WASHINGTON, DC, Wednesday, March 30, 2011 – U.S. Senator Richard Shelby (R-AL), ranking Republican on the Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies (Labor/HHS), today made the following statement at a committee hearing to examine the Fiscal Year 2012 Budget Request for the Department of Health and Human Services.

Excerpts of Shelby’s statement are immediately below in bold, followed by the full text of his prepared remarks:

“On top of the 9 percent increase in the entire Department of Health and Human Services’ budget request, the fiscal year 2012 bill includes $4.2 billion in mandatory spending for the Affordable Care Act (ACA). This is $4.2 billion that this subcommittee cannot reduce or rescind. It is simply more spending for another entitlement program…

…One of the most troubling aspects of the ACA is the Community Living Assistance Services and Supports (CLASS) Act…

….Even you, Madam Secretary, testified at the Senate Finance Committee hearing early this year that ‘the bill as written is totally unsustainable…’

…Secretary Sebelius, we fundamentally disagree on the implementation of the ACA. However, one area of the ACA we should agree on is that $38 million to fund one website is unacceptable…

…Mr. Chairman, the level of federal spending is unsustainable. We must make steps to reduce the deficit that burdens our nation today and will continue to into the future. Every federal program should be reviewed to ensure it is working effectively and efficiently and is a valuable use of taxpayer dollars. However, I remain cautious about arbitrary or across-the-board cuts to agencies and programs simply to score a political point. Congress needs to carefully examine programs to ensure that we are sustaining those that are effective and cutting those that are not.”

Posted: 2011-03-30 10:23:00 | Last Updated: 2011-03-30 10:23:00

By WLDX

Posted: 2011-03-25 14:02:00 | Last Updated: 2011-03-25 12:35:00

Public Notice: Community Storm Shelters Closed, With The Exception of Berry and Belk

By WLDX

The Fayette County Commission and Fayette County Emergency Management Agency wish to inform the citizens of Fayette County that 14 Community Storm Shelters in Fayette County will not be opened to the public until they meet contract specifications and guidelines. Rest assured they are doing everything possible to resolve this situation in a timely manner. The Safety of the citizens of Fayette County is of the utmost concern and they thank you for your patience in this matter. This notice in no way affects community storm shelters in use for a number of years in the city of Berry or the Town of Belk.

Posted: 2011-03-23 06:31:00 | Last Updated: 2011-03-25 12:34:00

FEMA, NOAA AND PARTNERS ENCOURAGE U.S. RESIDENTS TO PREPARE FOR SPRINGTIME FLOODING

By WLDX

March 14th through 18th Marks 2011 Flood Awareness Week

ATLANTA - With many communities throughout the nation facing threats of spring flooding, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) are once again joining forces to commemorate Flood Safety Awareness Week March 14 - 18.

FEMA and NOAA's National Weather Service are providing tips and information to help individuals and families prepare for flooding dangers during the week and throughout the spring season. The resources can be accessed at the Flood Safety Awareness Week landing page, located at www.ready.gov/floodawareness.

"As the nation's most common and expensive natural disaster, floods can strike virtually every community," said FEMA Administrator Craig Fugate. "We're encouraging individuals and families to take a few simple steps to protect themselves and their property. These include learning about their risk of flooding, having an emergency preparedness kit, storing important documents in a safe place and considering the purchase of flood insurance. Most homeowners insurance policies don't cover flooding, and most policies take 30 days to go into effect so it's important to act now."

Floods do more than damage property; they can also threaten lives if safety precautions are not followed. "Floods occur somewhere in the United States or its territories nearly every day of the year, killing nearly 100 people on average annually, and causing damage in the billions of dollars," said Jack Hayes, Ph.D., director of the National Weather Service. "Awareness, preparedness and action are the key ingredients to protecting lives and property when floods threaten. One essential safety tip is to never cross a road that is covered by water. Remember, Turn Around, Don't Drown."

According to the National Weather Service, more deaths occur due to flooding each year than from any other severe weather related hazard. The main reason is people underestimate the force and power of water. All areas of the country can be at risk for flooding and when such conditions are forecast, important information and life-saving alerts are available at www.weather.gov.

Posted: 2011-03-15 06:41:00 | Last Updated: 2011-03-15 06:41:00

County Road 85/38 Closed!

By WLDX

A road closing as been enforced on County Road 85/38 from the city limits to the 4-way stop. This road is closed until further noticed.

MONTGOMERY, Alabama – Lieutenant Governor Kay Ivey yesterday commended Members of the Alabama Senate for passing House Bill 57, known as the “Education Trust Fund Rolling Reserve Act.” The bill, sponsored by Rep. Greg Canfield (R-Vestavia Hills), overhauls the process for planning the state’s education budget. It came out of the Senate on a vote of 23 to 10, and is now headed to Governor Bentley’s desk to be signed into law.

“House Bill 57 is a measure that is long overdue,” Lt. Governor Ivey said today when the bill was voted favorably out of the state senate. “It makes sense to base budgets on past trends rather than on unrealistic projections of future revenues. HB 57 will keep the ox out of the ditch in the future,” she added.

The Rolling Reserve legislation was part of the Alabama Republican Party’s “Handshake with Alabama” developed during the 2010 campaign. GOP leaders pledged to sponsor bills to stimulate the economy and re-write the state budget in a way to avoid proration in the future. HB 57 was one of those bills proposed in the “Handshake” document.

WASHINGTON, D.C.—As part of its Project No Projectinitiative, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce released a first-of-its-kind economic study today identifying three stalled energy projects in Alabama that in aggregate are costing the state’s economy $19.8 billion in GDP and 33,100 jobs a year that could be created during the construction phase of these projects alone.

“This study should serve as a wake-up call for legislative action to improve the permitting process,” said William Kovacs, U.S. Chamber senior vice president of Environment, Technology and Regulatory Affairs during today’s unveiling of Project Denied: The Potential Economic Impact of Permitting Challenges Facing Proposed Energy Projects. The study by TeleNomic Researchwas conducted by Steve Pociask, President of the American Consumer Institute, and Joseph Fuhr, Professor of Economics at Widener University and Senior Fellow at the American Consumer Institute. “These are projects that would create jobs in Alabama and give a much-needed boost to the state’s economy, but with every day that passes, the more expensive the projects become. In most cases, if the projects are substantially delayed they won’t be built.”

The study estimates the potential loss of investment and jobs in the 351 proposed renewable, coal, natural gas, nuclear, and transmission projects in 49 states—including three in Alabama—that have been delayed or cancelled due to “Not in My Back Yard” (NIMBY) activism, a broken permitting process, and a system that allows for limitless lawsuits by opponents. The study features a state-by-state analysis that details the economic output and jobs that could be created by acting on these stagnant projects. The study’s findings are detailed on the user-friendly site www.projectnoproject.com, which features an in-depth breakdown of every stalled project.

Among the Alabama projects highlighted in the study is a planned liquefied natural gas (LNG) receiving, storage, and regasification facility that ConocoPhillips proposed to build approximately 11 miles off the coast of Dauphin Island, Alabama. The proposed LNG port would be designed for an average delivery of approximately 1.0 billion cubic feet per day of pipeline quality gas. The project would also require about 30 miles of onshore and offshore natural gas transmission pipeline. Concerns over the impact of the project on marine fisheries, as well as grassroots opposition by a host of environmental groups, brought veto threats from Alabama and Mississippi state governments. On June 8, 2006, ConocoPhillips pulled the Compass Port project altogether.

“In going through the study, the results were simply startling,” said Peter Morici, former chief economist at the International Trade Commission, and the study’s peer reviewer. “We anticipated the impact all the projects collectively would have on jobs and the economy. But the real surprise was how positively Alabama could be affected if it moved forward on just one project. To my knowledge, there is no database like this anywhere in the world.”

Among the notable findings of the study is the fact that almost half of the projects identified in the study are renewable energy projects. Other highlights include:

Investment Phase – Planning and construction of the study’s projects would generate $577 billion in direct investment and would result in an approximately $1.1 trillion increase in U.S. Gross Domestic Product (GDP). An estimated 1.9 million jobs would be required during each year of construction.

Operations Phase – Operation of the study’s projects would generate $99 billion in direct annual output and would yield $145 billion in increased GDP annually. An estimated average of 791,200 jobs would be created per year of operation.

Total Benefits – If constructed and operated for twenty years, the study estimates a total benefit of $3.4 trillion in GDP, including $1.4 trillion in employment earnings and an additional one million jobs per year.

The Chamber recognizes that moving forward on all the projects is highly unlikely. To address that, the study includes a sensitivity analysis, which examines the jobs and economic data if only some projects were approved.

“The numbers tell the story,” said Kovacs. “Moving forward on a significant number of these projects could mean millions of jobs and do wonders for our economy. With our study, Congress can now point to tangible data on the regulatory barriers to economic growth. Now is the time to act to remove unreasonable obstacles and restore balance to a broken process. It’s essential to American jobs and competitiveness.”

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce is the world’s largest business federation representing the interests of more than 3 million businesses of all sizes, sectors, and regions, as well as state and local chambers and industry associations.

Posted: 2011-03-10 14:20:00 | Last Updated: 2011-03-10 14:20:00

Donations Needed to assist Junior Watts

By WLDX

A fund as been setup at the West Alabama Bank for Junior Watts of Fayette. He was diagnosed with inoperable lung cancer and is now in Houston for further testing and possibly treatment. Anyone can make a donation at the bank for Junior or Janet Watts to help with expenses. Any donations will be greatly appreciated. No gift is to small.

Posted: 2011-03-08 11:46:00 | Last Updated: 2011-03-08 11:05:00

Sessions Introduces Free and Fair Trade Act

By WLDX

WASHINGTON­—U.S. Senator Jeff Sessions (R-AL) today introduced a bill that would modernize and reauthorize the Generalized System of Preferences (GSP) through 2012, along with the Andean Trade Preference Act.

The GSP, originally authorized to avoid domestic job losses, extends duty-free benefits to products in developing countries that do not compete with products made in the United States. When Congress originally authorized GSP in 1974, it explicitly excluded many sensitive products, such as textiles and steel. However, due to a loophole in the law, foreign sleeping bags are allowed duty-free treatment even though they compete directly with American manufacturers, therefore threatening American jobs. In other words, sleeping bags are in a unique situation by being forced to compete with a foreign competitor that pays no taxes under the GSP.

“The current loophole in the GSP is an unfair policy and an injustice to American industries,” Sessions said.“Members on both sides of the aisle have acknowledged this is a threat to American workers. The legislation introduced today would not only fix this loophole in the GSP but also reauthorize the program to allow for trade to continue in a fair way. It is critical that we adopt policies that further American production and jobs, not favor foreign imports.”

The Exxel Outdoors Plant located in Haleyville, Alabama is the largest sleeping bag manufacturer in the United States. Exxel Outdoors nearly shut down this past year because of unfair competition from a Bangladesh company that imported sleeping bags to the United States. Sessions blocked the trade bill in December because of this unjust loophole.

Sessions’ legislation would also extend the Andean Trade Promotion Act to support Colombia and American jobs that depend on processing goods in Colombia. The bill (S.433) has not yet been voted on in the Senate.

Posted: 2011-03-03 06:44:00 | Last Updated: 2011-03-03 06:44:00

Fayette Had Some Minor Storm Damage

By WLDX

Last nights strong winds were felt all around Northwest Alabama. Reports of a barn blown onto Hwy 107, near mile marker 8 in Fayette to several minor damages to trees. See above picture showing the effects of the strong winds by lifting the roof off it's patio deck.

Posted: 2011-02-25 12:29:00 | Last Updated: 2011-02-25 11:55:00

Shelby to Address Lamar County Residents

By WLDX

WASHINGTON, D. C.--- U. S. Senator Richard Shelby (R-Ala.) will join the residents of Lamar County for a county visit on Saturday, March 12, 2011, at 2:00 pm Central Time. The county visit, which is open to the public, will take place at City Hall in Sulligent, Alabama. The City Hall is located at 5795 Highway 278 in Sulligent.

Senator Shelby will address the legislative agenda for the first session of the 112th Congress as well as important issues facing the nation and the state of Alabama. Following his remarks, Senator Shelby will open the floor to questions and comments from those in attendance. "Over the years, these meetings have provided an excellent opportunity for area residents to listen and voice their opinions on the activities of our government,” said Shelby. “This will be a great chance to discuss the important issues facing our state and our nation.” Senator Shelby has held over 1,600 county visits since being elected to serve the state of Alabama. As part of his commitment to Alabamians, Senator Shelby holds a meeting in each county every year. This meeting is open to the public.

Posted: 2011-02-24 12:20:00 | Last Updated: 2011-03-07 09:59:00

ALDOT Announces One-Lane Traffic on U.S. 82 Eastbound New Westbound Lanes of U.S. 82 Open to Traffic

By WLDX

TUSCALOOSA COUNTY – Weather permitting,resurfacing on U.S. Highway 82 eastbound will cause traffic to be shifted to one lane over the next few weeks.

New U.S. 82 westbound lanes between Tuscaloosa and Pickens County were opened to traffic by the Alabama Department of Transportation Monday, as part of a project to provide a four-lane, divided highway from Tuscaloosa to Mississippi. This latest $17.1 million project provides nearly three miles of additional lanes and six new bridges from east of County Road 15 to east of the Sipsey River, and completes the widening portion of U.S. 82 in Tuscaloosa County. Motorists are requested to consider using alternate routes, adjust arrival/departure times, observe work zone speed limits and other work zone signs, and use extreme caution in this area. ALDOT thanks motorists for their patience during this construction to improve Alabama’s roadways. ALDOT's mission is to provide a safe, efficient, environmentally sound transportation network across Alabama. For further information, visit www.dot.state.al.us.

Posted: 2011-02-23 10:00:00 | Last Updated: 2011-02-23 09:14:00

The Hampton Inn in Winfield, Alabama Open House!

By WLDX

The Hampton Inn in Winfield, Alabama wishes to invite everyone to thier Open House Friday, February 18th from 5 p.m. till 8 p.m. General Manager Ellen Self and her fine staff will give you a tour of their hotel, a fine addition to Winfield and the surrounding counties. Prizes will be given away and refreshments will be served. Check out some of the photos by visiting their facebook site.

Dorrie Rushing, Fayette City Administrative Clerk, will be featured on theTommy Wilcox Outdoors TV Show on Saturday February 19th at 11:00 on WVUA TV.Mrs. Rushing was Tommy's guest at his hunting Lodge in Eutaw, AL where shekilled a 9-point deer hunting with Tommy on January 19th. Also, her husband,Matthew, was invited to hunt with Tommy in Fosters, AL and killed an 8-pointbuck. Dorrie will be featured on this popular TV Show this Saturday.

Posted: 2011-02-17 08:01:00 | Last Updated: 2011-02-18 13:29:00

Time To Make Summer Camp Plans!

By WLDX

Summer is fast approaching, and many parents are making plans to fill their children’s days. Summer camp is a popular choice and at the Alabama 4-H Center in Columbiana, plans are being made for summer fun!

This year’s 4-H Summer Camp program offers young people ages 9-14 a variety of activities during a three-day, two-night session. Activities include archery, canoeing, swimming, rock-wall climbing, hiking, wildlife programs, arts and crafts as well as other programs. Tuition for camp is $100 and includes two nights lodging, six meals and a camp t-shirt.

Fayette County 4-H is scheduled to attend summer camp during the second session, which is June 8-10. Enrollment has started and space is limited! Don’t miss out on this wonderful opportunity. The initial registration fee of $25 is due to the Fayette County Extension Office by February 24th.

For more information on summer camp at the Alabama 4-H Center, visit the Fayette County Extension Office website at www.aces.edu/fayette or call the Fayette County Extension Office at (205) 442-1097.

Posted: 2011-02-15 11:48:00 | Last Updated: 2011-02-21 05:28:00

Valentine's Day - Prelude to a Marriage

By WLDX

(HealthNewsDigest.com)...Ok Guys, there is just one of three gifts to buy today and none of them will break the bank, and any one of them will make you a Hero in the eye's of the one you love! And, some advice that can keep you out of trouble! (Michael J. McCurdy, Founder/Publisher - HealthNewsDigest.com)

Gift # 1. That God awful romance card that we all cringe at when trying to buy it. You know the one's I mean. Look left, look right, and when you're sure no one is looking, stick it in the envelope that it comes with so that the clerk has to pull it out just so far to see the price. Most of us guy's hate reading these cards, but whatever, women really love em'. I guess they really know how tough it was for us to buy it! You can get a real mushy one for about $3.00.

Gift # 2. A Heart Shaped box of chocolates. A sure fire winner! "Oh no...not Chocolates! You didn't buy me chocolates, did you?" "I can't eat them...they'll make me fat!" That's what she'll say, while she's thinking..."I wonder where I can hide them so I don't have to share!" Just remember to tell her that dark chocolate is proven to be a great antioxidant...good for her heart! I just checked in my local drug store, and you can buy a Whitman Sampler for $6.95. That's a great price, and a sure-to-please gift.

Gift # 3. Red Roses. The Ultimate Killer! Some women may find the Love Card as corny as you. Some will complain that the chocolate will make them fat (although they won't share with anyone), but there is not a woman alive who doesn't melt when you give her roses :) Here in New York, you can get a dozen roses for about $20.00 or less. Shop early.

Now, for all of you guy's who are trying to get up the courage to buy your lover beautiful black or red lingerie ... Don't Do It ... Unless...unless you remember the film "Working Girl" when Alec Baldwin buys Melanie Griffith a matching set of black bra and panties for her birthday, and what she said to him upon opening the box and holding up the panties, "Oh Good, you got me another gift for you!"

A number of year's ago, I was having an after work cocktail with a business acquaintance of mine, when the conversation turned to Valentine's day, which was just a couple of days in the future. After we exchanged gift idea's and a few laughs, he said to me, "Would you like to hear a great Valentine's Day story?" "Of course I would" I replied.

As he began, a pleasant smile formed his face, "Well, about ten years ago, I was dating this really pretty girl, and I really liked her a lot, and I just assumed that the feeling was mutual. So, on Valentine's Day, I went over to her apartment to pick her up for dinner and a movie. But, I brought along with me, a card, a box of chocolates, a dozen roses, a bottle of champagne, AND, a matching set of black bra and panties with pink ribbons on the bra straps and on the hips of the panties!" His grin was now bigger than his face.

"My God, how did she react?"

"Well, after she thanked me for all of the present's, she was very pleased by the way, she got to the little white box with the red ribbons." "And what's this?" she said smiling sheepishly.

"I must admit that I got embarrassed at this point, but what the hell I thought. Well she opened the box, and with her forefinger and thumb she held up the panties, just like your Mother would do if she caught you with a Playboy magazine or something. No smile, nothing. "You don't think I'm gonna put these on for you, do you?"

"I was almost hoping that she wouldn't pull the bra out of the box, but of course she did. I felt so stupid at that moment."

She put them back in the box, and said to me, "I'd better go put these away in the closet. I'll be right back."

So she yells out to me from her bedroom "Hey, it's getting late, think we can still make the movie?"

"Sure" I yell out to her. I look up and there she is in the doorway with the bra and panties on, AND, black high heels, with a rose in her teeth!"

As he says this, he is now looking up to the sky, in a place all his own, with a very satisfied and confident grin on his face. I could hear him murmuring under his breath..."I'll never forget it as long as I live." He turned to look at me...that was the end of his story. He wasn't going any further.

"Mike, I felt like a horse had just kicked me in the chest. I was totally out of breath, and standing there like the village idiot, mouth open, eyes bulging. I actually think she took pity on me."

"Whatever happened to her?" He took a sip from his drink, then turned to me with a serious expression. Then he almost yelled it at me, "I Married Her!"

He started to reach into his jacket to pull out his wallet, as we were both getting a really good laugh, the kind that all people in a bar or restaurant want to join in on, even though they don't know what you're talking about. He showed me a picture of a pretty woman and two adorable young girls...his family. "You're a lucky man, Bob." "Don't I know it" he said as he started to put on his coat to leave.

"So, what are you doing this Valentine's Day?" I asked him. "We do the same thing every year, but now we have to get a baby sitter." His grin was the kind that one man gives to another when you want to one up him.

A word to the wise: If you're going to buy your girlfriend or wife lingerie make sure you get the right size! If they're too small, you're not going to get the runway treatment. If they're too large, may God be with you and protect you!

Oh yeah, If you're wondering, St. Valentine actually was a Roman who was martyred and died on February 14, 269 A.D. for refusing to give up his practice of Christianity. I wonder if Bob knows this? :)

All Fayette County Schools (Berry, Hubbertville, and Fayette) will be closed Thursday (Feb. 10th)

All Fayette Park and Rec. basketball games have been canceled for Thursday, Feb. 10th

Posted: 2011-02-09 16:53:00 | Last Updated: 2011-02-10 09:09:00

A New Show And Some Program Time Changes!

By Joe Jackson

WLDX will be adding a new show beginning Monday, February 14th. The Midnight Radio Network (MRN) is the only LIVE overnight News/Talk overnight program that caters exclusively to the largest overnight listening audience in the US: Men 25-54 and on-the-road drivers.

Originating from legendary WBAP-AM News/Talk 820 in Dallas, MRN covers everything from national news, weather, and road conditions to sports and business updates.

MRN’s host Eric Harley is a legend in the trucking industry, while news host Gary McNamara is a 15-year talk radio veteran with a resume as colorful as his personality. Together, they share the concerns of the drivers they speak with on a nightly basis and work hard to deliver the best entertainment while addressing the issues of the trucking industry. The Midnight Radio Network will broadcast on WLDX Monday - Friday from Midnight until 3 a.m. and Saturday-Sunday Midnight until 5 a.m.

The Neal Boortz & Clark Howard Show will have a time change. The Neal Boortz Show will air Monday-Friday from 3 a.m. until 5 a.m. The Clark Howard Show will air Monday-Friday from 5 a.m. until 6 a.m. On March 28th WLDX will air a new program from 9 a.m. until 12 noon, but that will be a surprise.

“The American people have never supported this bill, and polling numbers show they still do not support this bill.”

Posted: 2011-02-03 13:56:00 | Last Updated: 2011-02-03 13:56:00

Sessions: Coming Budget Proposal A Crucial Test For Obama Presidency

By WLDX

“In two weeks, on February 14th, the president will submit a new budget to Congress… If his budget fails to change course, we will know where the president is. We’re going to see whether the president is moving with the America people towards fiscal and economic sanity, or whether he will continue his ideological commitment to big government.”

Click on Picture to view

Posted: 2011-02-01 10:15:00 | Last Updated: 2011-02-01 09:19:00

Peak season for home fires isn't over; NFPA offers reminders for keeping fire-safe during winter

By WLDX

Quincy, Mass.– Half of all U.S. home heating fires occur in December, January and February. That’s according to the National Fire Protection Association’s (NFPA) Home Fires Involving Heating Equipment report, which shows that heating equipment is a leading cause of winter fires. In fact, heating equipment was involved in an estimated 66,100 reported home structure fires in 2008, causing 480 civilian deaths, 1,660 civilian injuries, and $1.1 billion in direct property damage.

NFPA and the U.S. Fire Administration (USFA) are working together to remind everyone that home fires are more prevalent in winter than in any other season. For more information about the organizations’ joint safety campaign, “Put a Freeze on Winter Fires,” and a complete list of winter safety tips, visit http://www.nfpa.org/winter.

“Winter fires are highly preventable,” says Lorraine Carli, NFPA’s vice president of communications. “Every tragic news story about a devastating winter fire is a reminder that simple precautions can prevent deadly consequences.”

Space heaters resulted in far more fires and fire fatalities than central heating devices. Between 2004 and 2008, fixed (stationary) and portable space heaters (excluding fireplaces, chimneys, and chimney connectors, but including wood stoves) annually accounted for, on average, one-third of reported U.S. home heating fires and four out of five associated civilian deaths.

Meanwhile, an estimated 15,200 reported creosote fires – 23 percent of all home heating fires – annually resulted in an average of four civilian deaths, 17 civilian injuries, and $33 million in direct property damage. Creosote is a sticky, oily, combustible substance created when wood does not burn completely. It rises into the chimney as a liquid and deposits on the chimney wall.

One in four heating equipment fires started due to a failure to clean equipment. Other causes include placing a heat source too close to combustibles, and unclassified mechanical failures or malfunctions. Roughly half of all home heating fire deaths resulted from fires started by heating equipment that was too close to something that could burn, such as upholstered furniture, clothing, or a mattress or bedding.

In addition to heating fires being a concern in the coming months, NFPA would like to remind the public that cooking fires are the leading cause of home fires all year round. This time of year, whether you are feasting on Super Bowl Sunday or simply cooking to warm up on a bitter cold day, it is important to stay in the kitchen when frying, grilling, or broiling. Unattended cooking is the leading cause of cooking fires.

About the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA)

NFPA is a worldwide leader in providing fire, electrical, building, and life safety to the public since 1896. The mission of the international nonprofit organization is to reduce the worldwide burden of fire and other hazards on the quality of life by providing and advocating consensus codes and standards, research, training, and education. Visit NFPA’s website at http://www.nfpa.org

Posted: 2011-02-01 08:46:00 | Last Updated: 2011-02-01 07:50:00

Sessions Calls For Action As Deficit Projection Worsens

By WLDX

“[President Obama’s] so-called freeze on domestic spending is not a plan to reduce deficits; it is a plan to preserve them—locking in place the very spending levels the president has dramatically increased… The money to sustain the president’s big-government vision is simply not there. Meaningful spending reductions are not a choice, they are an obligation. There is no serious alternative.”

“I would like to begin today by congratulating you, Dr. Elmendorf, on your reappointment as the Director of the Congressional Budget Office. You have carried out your duties with honesty and integrity, and I greatly look forward to having a candid discussion this morning.

Yesterday we received the new baseline from the CBO. The news was not good.

Our deficit is expected to reach nearly $1.5 trillion by the end of the fiscal year. Our gross debt is expected to reach 100% of GDP—meaning that the amount of money our nation owes will soon be equal to the value of everything our nation produces.

Forty cents of every dollar we spend is borrowed. By the end of the decade the interest on our debt is expected to rise to nearly $750 billion for just one year.

Former Federal Reserve Chairman Alan Greenspan said that we have almost a fifty percent chance of a bond-market crisis in the next two or three years.

The path we are on is unsustainable.

And yet, in his State of the Union address, President Obama announced that he would continue down this perilous road.

But to hear the president’s remarks one would think his speech had been written ten years ago—they were disconnected from the reality of our present situation.

Earlier this week I said that his State of the Union address was a defining moment in his presidency.

But he did not rise to the occasion. His timid speech squandered a historic chance to rally the nation behind true spending reform. It was far short of the standard set by Governor Chris Christie in New Jersey and Prime Minister David Cameron in Britain.

No one forced Mr. Obama to be president. He asked for the job. But instead of setting forth a bold vision, he proposed instead that we continue with business-as-usual for at least five more years.

His so-called freeze on domestic spending is not a plan to reduce deficits; it is a plan to preserve them—locking in place the very spending levels the president has dramatically increased.

The plan is remarkable not for its strength but for its weakness.

In defense of his proposal, the president argued that government spending is the engine of our economy.

But he has his metaphor backwards. The engine of our economy is the private sector, not the public sector.

When the private sector grows, it creates new jobs, new industries, and new ideas. But when the public sector grows it simply consumes more of what the private sector produces. Big-government waste is funded on the back of small business thrift.

The American people deserve candor from elected officials. The money to sustain the president’s big-government vision is simply not there. Meaningful spending reductions are not a choice; they are an obligation. There is no serious alternative.

Reducing the size and cost of government may not be easy. But it is the only responsible course—and the only one that leads to a better, more prosperous future.”

Posted: 2011-01-27 12:18:00 | Last Updated: 2011-01-27 12:18:00

Sessions Reacts To State Of The Union: President In ‘Denial’ On Spending

By WLDX

WASHINGTON—U.S. Sen. Jeff Sessions (R-AL), Ranking Member of the Senate Budget Committee, responded tonight to President Obama’s State of the Union address and the president’s plan to maintain increased levels of discretionary spending:

“Massive federal spending has placed our nation on an unsustainable path. And yet tonight the President pledged to continue down this perilous road for at least five more years.

Instead of deficit reduction, President Obama has put a forward a plan for deficit preservation. Last year, he offered the same ‘freeze’ that would maintain increased spending levels and produce an estimated $10 trillion in deficits by the end of the decade.

We need leadership and vision from the President. But tonight we saw timidity and denial. He did not rise to the moment, or to the challenges we face. It was far short of what the situation demands.

Meaningfully reducing the size of our government and our deficit may not be easy, but it is the only responsible course – and the only one that leads to lasting prosperity and opportunity.”

Posted: 2011-01-26 08:49:00 | Last Updated: 2011-01-26 08:49:00

Excessive Amounts of Lead Found in Reusable Grocery Bags Supplied by Major Retailers, New Testing Shows

By WLDX

Excessive Amounts of Lead Found in Reusable Grocery BagsSupplied by Major Retailers, New Testing ShowsBans and Fees on Paper and Plastic Bags Have UnintendedConsequences for Consumers Switching to Reusable BagsWashington, DC—Today, the nonprofit Center for Consumer Freedom (CCF) released new lab results showing that a number of major retailers’ reusable shopping bags contained excessive levels of lead. Of the 44 organizations whose bags were tested, 16 are selling or distributing reusable bags containing lead in amounts greater than 100 ppm (parts per million),which is where many states set the limit for heavy metals in packaging.National chains such as CVS, Safeway, Bloom, and Walgreens were among those with high levels of lead found in their reusablebags. CVS and Safeway led the pack with 697 and 672 ppm respectively; both were nearly seven times the 100 ppm limit. To date, CVS is the only store that tested above 100 ppm to have recalled their bags. Previously lululemon athletica, Sears-Canada, and Wegmans have all recalled bags due to high levels of lead.“Across the country legislators are proposing bills to ban or tax paper and plastic bags, but the unintended consequence of such legislation is that people are using reusable bags, which independent testing shows can often contain excessive levels of lead” said CCF Senior Research Analyst J. Justin Wilson. “As an advocate for consumer choice I believe consumers should have the option of using lead-free plastic and paper bags when they’re bringing home their groceries.”Other retailers testing positive for excessive levels of lead included Staples, Giant Eagle, Piggly Wiggly, Giant, Gerbes, KTA Superstore, Brookshire Brothers, Stater Bros., and, ironically, the District of Columbia Department of Environment.CCF collected bags during December 2010 and sorted them on the basis of which ones represented grocery chains, national brands, and other brands likely to be recognized by a widely by the general public. We made no attempt to homogenize the sample geographically across the United States. Bags that had already been in use by consumers were discarded. Plastic and plastic-coated rigid inserts (which are included in the bottoms of some bags for added stability) were tested separately from the bags themselves, and their heavy-metal concentrations were reported along with the other lab results.CCF focused on testing bags that were constructed from “nonwoven polypropylene,” which is the most commonly used material in reusable grocery bags. The material is typically made in China and can be produced in a variety of ways that either include or exclude toxic heavy metals.The testing was conducted by Frontier Global Sciences, a fully accredited testing lab based in Seattle, which handled the samples and established the chain of custody.“Environmental activists are trying to have it both ways. They’ve spent decades campaigning against lead in paint, toys, and even packaging, but when it comes to their own sacred cow, they seem willing to ignore the issue,” concluded Wilson. “In the end, retailers shouldn’t have been goaded into selling these bags in the first place. They were merely doing their best to respond to environmental activists’ demands.”For more information or to view CCF’s report on the new testing, visit www.ConsumerFreedom.com.

Posted: 2011-01-25 14:28:00 | Last Updated: 2011-01-25 14:28:00

HUD AWARDS OVER $14 MILLION TO ASSIST HOMELESS PROGRAMS IN ALABAMA PART OF ADMINISTRATION PLAN TO PREVENT & END HOMELESSNESS

By WLDX

Funding comes one week before national one-night count of homeless persons and families

BIRMINGHAM – U.S. Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Secretary Shaun Donovan today awarded $14,768,595 in funding to keep 67 of local homeless assistance programs in Alabama operating in the coming year. The grants announced today form a critical foundation for the Obama Administration’s Opening Doors strategy, the nation’s first comprehensive plan to prevent and end homelessness. For a summary of the Alabama grants announced today, visit HUD’s website.

Today’s announcement also comes just a week before thousands of volunteers in nearly every city and county conduct a national one-night count of homeless persons and families. HUD’s Let’s Make Everybody Count! campaign is intended to document trends in homelessness that are crucial to local planners’ efforts to prevent and end homelessness in their areas.

“There is a tremendous need on our streets and in our shelters among those experiencing both long-term homelessness as well as families confronting a sudden economic crisis,” said Donovan. “These grants are the life blood for thousands of local housing and service programs that are doing the heavy lifting to meet President Obama’s goal of ending homelessness.”

Barbara Poppe, Executive Director of the U.S. Interagency Council on Homelessness Executive Director, added, “Across federal agencies, we are aligning mainstream programs towards a goal to prevent and end homelessness. While we continue to strengthen public-private partnerships in Washington and across the country to meet this goal, today's grants provide essential support to continue the progress and meet critical needs of those who experience the crisis of homelessness.”

Ed Jennings, Jr. HUD Southeast Regional Administrator said, “This much needed funding will enable our nonprofit organizations and local governments to continue providing housing and services to homeless individuals and families throughout Alabama to help us end homelessness. The main focus for these grants is to get homeless individuals and families off the street into safe housing, where they may access supportive services that will assist them in maintaining affordable housing.”

In June, 19 federal agencies and offices that form the U.S. Interagency Council on Homelessness (USICH) submitted to the President and Congress the nation’s first comprehensive strategy to prevent and end homelessness. The full report is titled Opening Doors: Federal Strategic Plan to Prevent and End Homelessness. The plan puts the country on a path to end veterans and chronic homelessness by 2015; and to ending homelessness among children, family, and youth by 2020.

Last September, HUD announced that it would renew funding through HUD’s Continuum of Care programs to existing local programs as quickly as possible to prevent any interruption in federal assistance. HUD will award funds to new projects later in the year.

Nashville, TN (January 17, 2011) - One-by-one country music stars are taking off their cowboy boots and replacing them with army boots! The Boot Campaign was inspired by retired US Navy SEAL and author of the book Lone Survivor, Marcus Luttrell. The campaign is a way for Americans to give back and say thank you to our armed forces.

Charlie Daniels, who even chose the Boot Campaign to be a part of his annual charity event at the Nashville Palm said, “I’ve never seen anything quite as unique as the Boot Campaign, and I’ve seen a lot!”

Also on board are bluegrass artists The Grascals and The Roys, along with Texas sensations Cross Canadian Ragweed, Robert Earl Keen, Jason Boland, Aaron Watson, Mick and the Motorcars, Reckless Kelly, Wade Bowen, Kevin Fowler, Stoney LaRue, No Justice, Bleu Edmondson, and Granger Smith.

These celebrities along with the Boot Girls are helping to spread the organizations motto: “When They Come Back, We Give Back!” The campaign encourages Americans to purchase a pair of army combat boots to wear in support of our nation’s troops. Proceeds from the boot sales are donated to partner charities, including Luttrell’s Lone Survivor Foundation.

About The Boot CampaignKnown as “the Boot Girls,” Ginger, Leigh Ann, Sherri, Heather and Mariae banned together one fateful night in Tyler, Texas to launch The Boot Campaign giving gratitude and appreciation for the American military. The initiative is quickly gaining awareness with the repertoire of boot images expanding every day. The Boot Girls ask Americans to put their boots on during the routine of daily life to symbolically walk in the shoes of our military men and women, remembering their service and sacrifice. The Campaign’s signature boots are available for purchase online with proceeds benefiting organizations like The Lone Survivor Foundation.

Poor Winter Air Quality Helped by Indoor Plants in the Home and Office

By WLDX

(HealthNewsDigest.com) - HERNDON, Va., — Winter is the worst time of year for indoor air pollution problems since most homes don’t get fresh air and people spend more time inside. The Environmental Protection Agency recently noted that “in the last several years, a growing body of scientific evidence has indicated that the air within homes and other buildings can be more seriously polluted than the outdoor air in even the largest and most industrialized cities.”

The nation’s largest lawn, landscape, and interiorscape association, the Professional Landcare Network (PLANET), offers homeowners tips for improving indoor air quality through the use of indoor plants.

- Spider plants — They are great pollution fighters that are easy to grow in moderate light, and they attract few insects.

- Peace Lilies — They are easy to care for, should be kept moist, and will wilt when they need to be watered.

- Ferns — They need medium or bright indirect light. The Boston fern is a good pollution-fighting variety, but requires little maintenance aside from dealing with dropped fronds.

- Ficus trees — They need medium to high light. They shouldn’t be watered until their leaves begin to turn yellow. They are sensitive to changes in light and cold drafts, but once established, they are easy to care for.

For those who want some color around the house, chrysanthemums and Gerber daisies are flowering plants that clean the air while they are flowering, but they eventually need to be discarded, whereas most green indoor plants can last for years.

Aside from our homes, many of us spend the majority of time at the office. Raimondi, a green industry Landscape Industry Certified Manager, suggests that companies place plants in the work place to improve the air quality along with employee health and morale. Some of the most popular indoor plants for the office are Peace Lilies and philodendrons. Many offices opt for a large quantity of plants in a public area, but you can also keep smaller plants on your desk to aid in cleaning the air in your direct area. One to two plants per room are recommended.

For more information, or to find a green industry professional, log on to LandcareNetwork.org/findaprofessional.

PLANET is the association of members who create and maintain the QUALITY OF LIFE in communities across America. With more than 3,500 member companies and affiliates, these firms and their employees represent more than 100,000 green industry professionals. Some of these professionals have taken the extra step of becoming certified through PLANET and bear the distinction of being known as Landscape Industry Certified.

Posted: 2011-01-18 08:48:00 | Last Updated: 2011-01-18 08:48:00

More Fun in the Snow!

By WLDX

Posted: 2011-01-12 14:26:00 | Last Updated: 2011-01-14 12:35:00

Fun in the Snow

By WLDX

Fayettte County's latest snow storm may not have made travel fun, but the young and young at heart thought different.

ATTN: Wednesday Closings are as follows:

All Fayette County Schools

Christian Center of Concern

All Nutritional sites

Re-Opening Wednesday:

Best Manufacturing at 7 a.m.

City Hall at 8 a.m.

Fayette County Courthouse 9 a.m.

Courthouse Annex 9 a.m.

Bevill State Community College 11 a.m.

Posted: 2011-01-11 19:26:00 | Last Updated: 2011-01-12 05:23:00

What is Opening Wednesday and What will be Closed

By Joe Jackson

ATTN: Wednesday closings are as follows:

All Fayette County Schools

Christian Center of Concern

All Nutritional sites

Re-Opening Wednesday:

Best Manufacturing at 7 a.m.

City Hall at 8 a.m.

Fayette County Courthouse 9 a.m.

Courthouse Annex 9 a.m.

Bevill State Community College 11 a.m.

The winter storm on Monday closed most businesses and government offices. But it gave everyone a chance to spend time with families and enjoy the fallen snow. Snow always seems to bring out the kid in you. My next door neighbors Dan and Selvia Elkins did a wonderful job building their snowman in their front yard and I know many others got out their rubber tubes and did a little sleighing. Auburn fans were even given a treat Monday night when the Auburn Tigers defeated Oregon 22-19. So even though the storm interupted our lives, for most part, it only slowed us down to take a breath from our oh so busy schedules. Scott Porter, Director of the Fayette County Emergency Management Agency has informed WLDX that the roads will re-open today at 12 noon. U.S. Senator Richard Shelby (R-Ala) is visiting Fayette County today at 10 a.m. at the Fayette Civic Center. WLDX wishes to give thanks to all first responders, 168th En Co, Fayette Police Department, Sheriffs Department, Fire Department, and Director Scott Porter and staff of the Emergency Management Agency.

Posted: 2011-01-11 09:35:00 | Last Updated: 2011-01-11 17:59:00

Fayette & Lamar Roads Closed

By WLDX

All Fayette and Lamar County Roads are closed till further notice.

Due to significant snow and ice accumulations across central Alabama, Scott Porter, Director of the Fayette County Emergency Management Agency, has announced that all Fayette and Lamar County Roads are closed until further noticed.

Tuesday Closings are as follows:All Fayette County SchoolsFayette Glove PlantSenior Nutrition CenterChildren's Place DaycareBevill State Community College at all locationsFayette County Government Offices

There will be no Park and Rec. Basketball Games tonight

Fayette County City Hall and City Offices will open at 10 AM.

Posted: 2011-01-09 16:04:00 | Last Updated: 2011-01-11 08:46:00

Shelby to Address Fayette County Residents

By WLDX

WASHINGTON, D. C.--- U. S. Senator Richard Shelby (R-Ala.) will join the residents of Fayette County for a county visit on Tuesday, January 11, 2011, at 10:00 am Central Time. The county visit, which is open to the public, will take place at the Fayette Civic Center, located at 534 Temple Avenue North in Fayette, Alabama.

Senator Shelby will address the legislative agenda for the first session of the 112th Congress as well as important issues facing the nation and the state of Alabama. Following his remarks, Senator Shelby will open the floor to questions and comments from those in attendance.

“Over the years, these meetings have provided an excellent opportunity for area residents to listen and voice their opinions on the activities of our government,” said Shelby. “This will be a great chance to discuss the important issues facing our state and our nation.”

Senator Shelby has held over 1,600 county visits since being elected to serve the state of Alabama. As part of his commitment to Alabamians, Senator Shelby holds a meeting in each county every year.

WASHINGTON—U.S. Sen. Jeff Sessions (R-AL) and U.S. Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-IA), respectively the outgoing and incoming Ranking Members of the Senate Judiciary Committee, issued the following statement today in response to reports that President Obama may attempt to sidestep Congress’ recent vote to block funds for the transfer of Guantánamo Bay detainees to the United States:

“Foreign terrorists, captured on foreign soil, should not be brought to America for civilian trial. Instead, they should be tried by military commission—the policy most consistent with our history, our values, and the longstanding rules of war. In 2006 and 2009, Congress passed legislation to formally establish these commissions, and funded construction of a courthouse in Guantánamo Bay where these trials can be safely and securely held.

Yet, at every turn, the Obama Administration has undermined these commissions and pushed to relocate GITMO’s terrorists to the United States—even including the mastermind of the 9/11 attacks. The president has nominated individuals at the Justice Department who share this view, including James Cole, now the Deputy Attorney General, who called 9/11 a criminal act comparable to the drug trade and organized crime. Cole added that just because a foreign terrorist organization is involved does not mean we should abandon the criminal justice system.

And now disturbing reports have surfaced that President Obama is considering a signing statement designed to circumvent congressional action that blocked funding for these civilian terror trials. Not only would this move defy the public will in furtherance of an unwise policy, but it would attack Congress’ fundamental constitutional authority to authorize funds. Any such effort will be opposed vigorously.

President Obama’s continued determination to try war criminals in a civilian venue is both puzzling and dangerous. These trials are not in keeping with military history or values, and holding them at courthouses in American communities—instead of at Guantánamo Bay—would introduce needless risks and burdens.

The president’s pledge to shutter GITMO was built on the naïve premise that softening America’s image would somehow soften our enemies’ resolve. That the Administration still clings to this hope—despite the continuing spate of attempted domestic terror strikes—suggests, at bottom, a failure to properly understand the radical Islamist threat.”

Posted: 2011-01-06 10:51:00 | Last Updated: 2011-01-06 10:51:00

The Kiplinger 100: Best Values in Public Colleges

By WLDX

Washington, D.C. (January 4, 2011)—Today Kiplinger’s Personal Finance announces the 100 best values in public colleges, ranking four-year institutions that deliver a stellar education at an affordable price. For the tenth time since Kiplinger’s first analysis in 1998, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill tops the chart. The annual public school rankings appear in Kiplinger’s February 2011 issue—on newsstands today—and online at www.kiplinger.com/tools/colleges.

Web visitors will find special interactive features including a reader’s choice poll, a slideshow of the top 10 schools, and data sortable by criteria such as state, tuition cost, average debt, student/faculty ratio, and admission rate. Parents and college-bound students can dive into dozens of quality and affordability measures for each of the 100 schools on the list.

The average annual in-state sticker price of a public college is $16,140—some $20,000 less than for private colleges. Among the public schools on Kiplinger’s top 100 list, one-fifth of them charge less than the average cost. Plus, the deals aren’t restricted to in-state students. At Binghamton University (SUNY), which takes the top spot in value for out-of-state students, non-New Yorkers pay $27,535 a year, less than the national average of $28,130.

“Despite rising tuition costs, there are still many first-rate institutions providing outstanding academics at an affordable price,” said Janet Bodnar, editor of Kiplinger’s. “Schools like these on the Kiplinger 100 list prove graduates can enter the workforce with a great education—and without a huge cloud of debt.”

The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Kiplinger’s top-ranked college, prides itself on providing an outstanding education at a low cost.. The university recently hired 120 junior faculty members, expanded its honors program, and introduced an enrichment program for top freshmen—all while pruning operating costs by $36 million annually. Carolina continues to meet the full need of students who qualify for need-based aid despite a 35% increase over the past two years in the number of students who qualify for aid.

The Kiplinger 100 Rankings:

1. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

2. University of Florida

3. University of Virginia

4. College of William and Mary (Va.)

5. University of Maryland, College Park

6. Binghamton University (SUNY)

7. SUNY Geneseo

8. University of Georgia

9. University of Wisconsin–Madison

10. University of Washington

11. New College of Florida

12. University of California, San Diego

13. University of California, Los Angeles

14. University of Texas at Austin

15. North Carolina State University

16. University of California, Berkeley

17. University of California, Irvine

18. Georgia Institute of Technology

19. James Madison University (Va.)

20. Florida State University

21. College of New Jersey

22. University of Michigan

23. Texas A&M University

24. Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State Univ.

25. Stony Brook University (SUNY)

26. University of Mary Washington (Va.)

27. University of North Carolina at Wilmington

28. University of Pittsburgh (Pa.)

29. University of Delaware

30. Indiana University, Bloomington

31. Truman State University (Mo.)

32. University of Connecticut

33. University of Central Florida

34. University of California, Santa Barbara

35. Appalachian State University (N.C.)

36. SUNY New Paltz

37. University of California, Davis

38. Ohio State University

39. Michigan State University

40.. St. Mary's College of Maryland

41. Clemson University (S.C.)

42. University of South Carolina

43. University of Wisconsin–La Crosse

44. Pennsylvania State Univ. at University Park

45. University of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign

46. University at Buffalo (SUNY)

47. SUNY Oneonta

48. Univ. of North Carolina School of the Arts

49. Ramapo College of New Jersey

50. Cal. Polytechnic State Univ., San Luis Obispo

51. Rutgers, State Univ. of N.J., New Brunswick

52. University of Minnesota, Twin Cities

53. Evergreen State College (Wash.)

54. University of Texas at Dallas

55. University of South Florida

56. Western Washington University

57. University of Arkansas

58. University of North Carolina at Asheville

59. Colorado School of Mines

60. Salisbury University (Md.)

61. George Mason University (Va.)

62. University of Iowa

63. SUNY Brockport

64. SUNY Plattsburgh

65. SUNY Fredonia

66. Purdue University (Ind.)

67. University of Nebraska–Lincoln

68. University of Wisconsin–Eau Claire

69. University of California, Santa Cruz

70. SUNY Cortland

71. West Chester University of Pennsylvania

72. University of Vermont

73. University at Albany (SUNY)

74. University of Tennessee

75. University of Missouri–Columbia

76. Louisiana State University

77. Miami University (Ohio)

78. Towson University (Md.)

79. California State University, Long Beach

80. Iowa State Univ. of Science and Technology

81. University of Oklahoma

82. University of Alabama

83. University of Massachusetts–Amherst

84. College of Charleston (S.C.)

85. University of Colorado at Boulder

86. Missouri Univ. of Science and Technology

87. University of Minnesota, Morris

88. Bloomsburg Univ. of Pennsylvania

89. University of Oregon

90. Colorado State University

91. University of Maryland, Baltimore

92. San Diego State University (Cal.)

93. University of New Hampshire

94. Temple University (Pa.)

95. Illinois State University

96. Auburn University (Ala.)

97. Florida International University

98. Washington State University

99.. Millersville University of Pennsylvania

100. Georgia College & State University

More on Ranking Methodology

Selected from a pool of more than 500 public four-year colleges and universities, schools in the Kiplinger 100 were ranked according to academic quality, including admission and retention rates, student-faculty ratios and four- and six-year graduation rates, as well as on cost and financial aid. More methodology specifics—as well as sortable rankings and other interactive features—are available at: www.kiplinger.com/tools/colleges.

Posted: 2011-01-05 14:47:00 | Last Updated: 2011-01-05 13:51:00

Seven Ways to Improve Health Care and the Environment in 2011

By WLDX

(HealthNewsDigest.com) - What better time than the beginning of a new year—and a new decade—to post some bold, yet quite practical suggestions?

1. Encourage telecommuting on a much grander scale. By some estimates, transportation accounts for 25% of the world's energy usage, with motor vehicles comprising nearly 80% of that. At the same time, countless office workers will make their daily commute only to log onto corporate computer systems, which are now, or could easily be modified to be, accessible from their homes. If even 30% of these workers were to telecommute three times per week, the savings in energy and reduction in air pollution would be massive.

2. Apply rigorous tort reform to medical malpractice. Talk to any doctor, and the chances are he is practicing defensive medicine. No one really knows how many pointless tests are being performed, but a survey run in 2008 claimed that 25 percent of all imaging tests were ordered for defensive purposes. Some estimates place the annual cost of defensive medicine at $100 billion to $200 billion or more. One suggestion is to replace traditional malpractice jury trials with expert courts.

3. Temper medicine's current obsession with blood numbers. Nothing is easier than running blood on a patient, to determine that his levels of this or that parameter are outside the normal range, or are "high normal." Tens of billions of dollars in drug revenue derives solely from modifying these levels back to normal, with only marginal actual health benefits being realized.

4. Promote accountability at the EPA. Regular readers of this column know that I am no fan of this agency, which tends to focus on tenth-order effects, and fosters a culture of hysterical chemophobia. EPA's lack of recent accomplishments is shameful, yet they want more money to achieve less and less. Recent retirees from the agency, who come from a more productive era, have told me that it needs to be reined in before it does something so egregious that there will be calls for it to be shut down completely.

5. Reform the medical education cartel. There is much wrong here, from slave labor residencies and purposely limited enrollment, to wildly inconsistent admission policies that can put 3.9 GPA Ivy League graduates on the sidelines, while misguided social engineering and in-state preferences can advance clearly inferior candidates. Moreover, do we believe in specialization or not? If a surgeon is content to perform the same knee operations for his entire career—and nothing else—why does he need such an extensive and mostly irrelevant training?

6. Bring real editorial boards back to scientific journals. The public is often unaware of the incredibly poor quality of many "scientific" studies, that appear in what once were prestige journals. However, the damage can go far beyond the paper simply being published. Frequently, questionable work is cited and forms the basis of standards, regulations, and practices. Sadly, papers are being published these days which 30 years ago would not have passed muster at a high school science fair.

7. Promote a healthy skepticism within the general public. Too many people seem far too willing to accept what those in authority have to say. Fear entrepreneurs succeed in convincing thousands of donors that evil industry is to blame, but the donors don't always consider that such activist groups surely have their own agendas, as well. At the same time, the government regulatory apparatus—which should be protecting all of us—is so mired in politics that it's no wonder when things go wrong. These days, a wealth of contrary information is available, for those willing to look. Knowledge is power!

Bret Linton age 10 of Fayette shoots the "Big One"!! A ten point ready to mount. Bret is the son of Amy & Gene Linton. Congratulations Bret from WLDX!

Posted: 2010-12-29 12:46:00 | Last Updated: 2010-12-29 12:46:00

$500 Christmas Bucks & $200 KFC / Taco Bell Winner !!

By WLDX

$500 Christmas Bucks & $200 KFC / Taco Bell Winner 2010 !!

Rachel Thomas

Winners at participating Merchants…

L & R EXPRESSFOOD MART

$500 GAS / GIFT CARD

MARCIA HOYT

CHARLES' CAFETERIA

A GALLON OF HOMEMADE DRESSING

MARK BROWN

FEED MY SHEEP

$50 GIFT CERTIFICATE

FRANCES NORRIS

STANDARD FURNITURE

BEAN BAG

JENNIE BAKER

FAYETTE GRAIN & FEED

$50 GIFT CERTIFICATE

ELIZABETH LARWOOD

COLLINS FURNITURE

A DECORATOR LAMP

TBA

BOLLING PHARMACY

FAMOUS GIFT BASKET

SAM TAYLOR

LAWRENCE FARM & LUMBER

A 70 PC. TOOL SET

JAMES WILLIAMS

KFC / TACO BELL

$25 GIFT CERTIFICATE

ROBERT PARRISH

FURNITURE DEPOT

$50 GIFT CERTIFICATE

JESSICA DUCK

BYNUM OLDS

OIL CHANGE

SHELIA CROWELL

SHOP & SAVE

$25 GIFT CERTICATE

(DT) GLENN JOHNSON

(HWY 43) DOROTHY MILLER

BYNUM OUTDOOR POWEREQUIP.

TOY POWER SAW & $10 GIFT CERTICATE

NOLAN MADDOX

CHIC FRILLS

$50 GIFT CERTIFICATE

DEBBIE PARRISH

AUSTIN’S AUTO RECYCLERS

$50 GIFT CERTIFICATE

NONA WRIGHT

Ricky G’s

TWO $25 GIFT CERTIFICATES

1. LINDA HUMBERS

2. MARK BOBBITT

KOSTER’S RADIATOR

$50 GIFT CERTIFICATE

OPAL HOLLINGSWORTH

THE CUTTING EDGE

GIFT BASKET

GAILLARD STOKER

ROGER’S AUTO PARTS

$25 GIFT CERTIFICATE

BRENDA DODD

Posted: 2010-12-23 13:08:00 | Last Updated: 2010-12-24 05:21:00

Fayette City's Trash Schedule

By WLDX

The Fayette City's Trash schedule for the upcoming Holidays:

Friday, Dec. 24th route will be picked up Thursday, Dec. 23rd.

Monday's, Dec. 27th route will be picked up on Tuesday, Dec. 28th.

Friday, Dec. 31st route will be picked up on Monday, Jan. 3rd.

Posted: 2010-12-22 07:06:00 | Last Updated: 2010-12-22 07:03:00

Marriage is Difficult Enough - Why Marry a Loser?

By WLDX

(HealthNewsDigest.com) - A dear friend of mine is dating a delinquent. He is 42 years old, has never been married, and cannot hold down a job. He steals, and you cannot trust him at all to do what he says he will do. He tells her he will pick her up and actually picks her up about 50% of the time he says he will. He goes out with his buddies and comes home at 2 and 3 a.m. Over lunch last week, she told me she wanted to marry him. I was flabbergasted, and had only one thing to ask, “WHY?” My friend is older; is he the only kind of guy she thinks can date? Most of the great guys I know are married. Does marriage make guys better or are better men married? Researchers have been trying to figure that out for ages. There is evidence that marriage does reduce illegal and aggressive behavior in men, but it is still unclear if that is a function of marriage or whether less aggressive, more social men were more likely to get married in the first place.

A new study led by a Michigan State University geneticist contends that it is a combination of both. In the December issue of the Archives of General Psychiatry, Dr. S. Alexandra Burt and colleagues found that less antisocial men were more likely to get married. Once they were married, the marriage itself appeared to further inhibit their antisocial behavior. According to Dr. Burt, “marriage is generally good for men, at least in terms of reducing antisocial behavior, but the data also indicates that it is not random who enters into the state of marriage.” The study found that men with lower levels of antisocial behavior at ages 17 and 20 years were more likely to have married by age 29 (the researchers refer to the act of entering into marriage as a selection process). Burt said it’s unlikely that marriage inhibits men’s antisocial behavior directly, but rather that marriage is a marker for other factors such as social bonding, spending less time with delinquent peers, and better communication. The higher quality the marriage was, the stronger the effect was on these men.

I don’t think my friend should marry this guy. I don’t think he understands the concept of love, and I think she should let someone else try to help him. She wants children and anytime I think of him being a dad, I cringe. However, anything is possible; I have seen men change when they marry someone who understands how to communicate love and acceptance. My friend asked me for suggestions that would help her pursue this relationship and give it the best chance. Below are my suggestions:

* Step back and get your mind clear about what you want in a marriage. Make a list of what is good about your relationship with this person, what is weak and what you need more help with. * Go see a therapist individually. Tell them the truth about this relationship and show them your list. Tell your therapist how you feel about this person and believe what they tell you. * Never marry a person you don’t trust. If someone you love is not transparent, they need to seek help on their own to figure it out. * Limit his time with delinquent friends. If he needs to be with his friends more than he needs to be with you, he is showing you where you stand on his value scale. * Do your own work. If you are willing to marry someone who treats you badly, why do you think you deserve that?

A common thing I hear from women over the age of thirty is “All the good guys are married.” This study supports that. However, I work with many men, and I can tell you there are good men who have never been married, or are divorced and are available. Men add so much to a relationship, I cannot imagine my life without the kind, wonderful men in it. If you are attracting delinquent men, it may be wise to reflect on yourself rather than blaming all men for this one (or two) who happened into your life. –Mary Jo Rapini

Posted: 2010-12-21 06:24:00 | Last Updated: 2010-12-21 06:24:00

Best Lighted Christmas Yard

By WLDX

The Fayette Garden Clubs best lighted Christmas Yard for 2010 are:

1st Place

Mr. & Mrs. Larry Hindman at 505 High Forest Drive

2nd Place

Mr & Mrs Clyde Stevens at 2312 6th Ave NW

3rd Place

Mr & Mrs Rufus Meadows at 1107 Temple Avenue North

Honorable Mentions:

Mr. & Mrs. Bryon Long

Mr. & Mrs. Steve Minor

Mr. & Mrs. Bobby McCraw

Mr. & Mrs. Larry King

Mr. & Mrs. Owel Newman

Posted: 2010-12-20 08:32:00 | Last Updated: 2010-12-20 08:32:00

The True Story of Rudolph

By WLDX

A man named Bob May, depressed and brokenhearted, stared out his drafty apartment window into the chilling December night.

His 4-year-old daughter Barbara sat on his lap quietly sobbing. Bob's wife, Evelyn, was dying of cancer Little Barbara couldn't understand why her mommy could never come home. Barbara looked up into her dad's eyes and asked, "Why isn't Mommy just like everybody else's Mommy?" Bob's jaw tightened and his eyes welled with tears. Her question brought waves of grief, but also of anger. It had been the story of Bob's life. Life always had to be different for Bob.

Small when he was a kid, Bob was often bullied by other boys. He was too little at the time to compete in sports. He was often called names he'd rather not remember. From childhood, Bob was different and never seemed to fit in. Bob did complete college, married his loving wife and was grateful to get his job as a copywriter at Montgomery Ward during the Great Depression. Then he was blessed with his little girl. But it was all short-lived. Evelyn's bout with cancer stripped them of all their savings and now Bob and his daughter were forced to live in a two-room apartment in the Chicago slums. Evelyn died just days before Christmas in 1938.

Bob struggled to give hope to his child, for whom he couldn't even afford to buy a Christmas gift. But if he couldn't buy a gift, he was determined to make one - a storybook! Bob had created an animal character in his own mind and told the animal's story to little Barbara to give her comfort and hope. Again and again Bob told the story, embellishing it more with each telling. Who was the character? What was the story all about? The story Bob May created was his own autobiography in fable form. The character he created was a misfit outcast like he was. The name of the character? A little reindeer named Rudolph, with a big shiny nose. Bob finished the book just in time to give it to his little girl on Christmas Day. But the story doesn't end there.

The general manager of Montgomery Ward caught wind of the little storybook and offered Bob May a nominal fee to purchase the rights to print the book. Wards went on to print,_ Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer_ and distribute it to children visiting Santa Claus in their stores. By 1946 Wards had printed and distributed more than six million copies of Rudolph. That same year, a major publisher wanted to purchase the rights from Wards to print an updated version of the book.

In an unprecedented gesture of kindness, the CEO of Wards returned all rights back to Bob May. The book became a best seller. Many toy and marketing deals followed and Bob May, now remarried with a growing family, became wealthy from the story he created to comfort his grieving daughter. But the story doesn't end there either.

Bob's brother-in-law, Johnny Marks, made a song adaptation to Rudolph. Though the song was turned down by such popular vocalists as Bing Crosby and Dinah Shore , it was recorded by the singing cowboy, Gene Autry. "Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer" was released in 1949 and became a phenomenal success, selling more records than any other Christmas song, with the exception of "White Christmas."

The gift of love that Bob May created for his daughter so long ago kept on returning back to bless him again and again. And Bob May learned the lesson, just like his dear friend Rudolph, that being different isn't so bad. In fact, being different can be a blessing.

MERRY CHRISTMAS FROM WLDX

Posted: 2010-12-16 06:28:00 | Last Updated: 2010-12-16 06:28:00

Fifty is the New Forty - Thirty is the New Mid-Life Crisis

By WLDX

(HealthNewsDigest.com) - A recent study done by a British counseling group (RELATE) found that those mid-life perils that once occurred in our late 40’s and 50’s are now happening in our early and mid 30’s. The signs and symptoms reported in the British survey are also showing up here in the United States. The economic issue is a big part of the symptoms of mid-life crisis. People who put their faith in their career are being downsized, pressed to do more work with less money, and are feeling minimized by their employer. Due to their work schedule, they are feeling more isolated and clingy to what they do have. This makes healthy relationships more and more unlikely.

The mid life crisis that emerges in younger adults is reported to be just as intense as the crisis for adults in their 50’s. The issues are very different though. Younger people tend to focus on themselves. For example, you may not be worried if you are going to become empty nesters because many o f you haven’t built your nest yet. Also, having an aging parent is not usually high on your crisis list as many of your parents are still relatively young. Here are a few issues that may push a 30 year old into a mid-life crisis.

* You begin to realize that school pursuits did not secure you the job you dreamed it would. * You began to notice your parents aging process, only to realize you are next. * You may begin to feel that, no matter what actions you take, you cannot have the “dream.” * You may be working so hard you begin to have insecurity concerning your ability to love yourself or anyone else. * You don’t feel like you are making any difference in the world with your career. * You may have terrible luck with an intimate relationship or not be able to secure an intimate relationship. * You may begin to wish for your old college days. You begin to compare your looks now to your college days and may not like what you see. * Your job or lifestyle may have contributed to the loss of high school or college friends. * You find yourself under stress with loans for school, a new home, or owning a business. * You may want children, but see no prospective mate. * You feel like you drew the short straw when you compare yourself to others that are your same age.

How do you prevent a mid-life crisis or get out of one if you experiencing these symptoms? Here are few suggestions.

1. Beginning this week try something new each week. Many times we get into a crisis when we keep doing the same thing the same way. We become old before our time. Add some adventure and fun. 2. Stop regretting the past or telling yourself it was the best time of your life. It really wasn’t, and this is a delusion you tell yourself to bring yourself down further. 3. Don’t compare yourself to other people your age. Life is not a race, and for that one time everyone else may be ahead of you in their chosen career. If you follow them for five years you will either surpass them or grow in another direction with equal speed. 4. Remind yourself that the majority of people don’t like their job all the time. Work is work. You have to keep recreating yourself to make your job interesting. 5. Focus on one activity each week that makes you feel great. No matter how tight your schedule is make sure you have this activity in your week. 6. Exercising, eating well and getting plenty of sleep are three of the most important things you can do in the self care department. 7. Are you working at a job you love, or do you love the image it portrays but hate the job? For example, a lawyer may look glamour to your friends, but it also can be a boring and very difficult job. If you don’t like the profession you are in, try night classes to pursue something else. 8. If you want a child, but aren’t dating anyone it is time to make a change. Try joining a new singles club, online dating, speed dating, a class, or invite friends over and ask them to bring single friends. You won’t meet someone sitting home talking about how you wish you would meet someone. 9. Get a hobby. Invest your passion into something, and you will get passion back. Passionless people are that way because they don’t want to give. If you become stingy with your desire to give, you will burn out in life due to stagnant growth. 10. Find a way to relax and, whatever that is, do it often. Stress affects everyone, but it is only dangerous if you are not adept at managing it. Using alcohol, drugs, food, or cigarettes are all examples of poor ways to soothe yourself. Running, yoga, riding a bike, or writing in a journal are examples of managing your stress wisely.

I am not sure I ever went through a mid-life crisis. For the most part when I have a crossroad in my life, I reinvent myself. This keeps me excited and looking forward to the next adventure. That is not to say there isn’t grieving or saddness with the passing of a particular time in life. Losing parents and good friends is sad for all of us. But knowing that we, too, have a limited time here and limitless opportunities makes one realize that being stuck in a crisis for even a short time is too long. –Mary Jo Rapini

Posted: 2010-12-13 06:28:00 | Last Updated: 2010-12-13 06:28:00

Alabama State Troopers Patrolling in Force Through ‘Operation Safe Holidays’

By WLDX

MONTGOMERY —Alabama state troopers kicked off “Operation Safe Holidays” Friday to reduce crashes, injuries and fatalities throughout the remainder of 2010 and to help ensure safe holiday travel into the new year, according to Col. F.A. Bingham, acting director of the Department of Public Safety.

Bingham said motorists can expect to see significantly greater numbers of troopers patrolling Alabama’s roadways, with approximately 175 additional troopers and Capitol Police officers bolstering enforcement efforts throughout the intensive safety campaign. DPS is conducting the extended campaign, which runs Dec. 10 through Jan. 2, 2011, in partnership with the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs and the Alabama Department of Transportation.

State troopers will aggressively enforce traffic law, exercising zero tolerance for impaired driving and seat belt violations, said Bingham. “We are doing everything we can to prevent traffic deaths,” he said, “and that means targeting the more than 40 percent of fatalities that involve alcohol and almost 65 percent that are unrestrained.”

Bingham said troopers from every rank and all six divisions will be in uniform and on patrol throughout the campaign. In addition, motorists can expect to see uniformed troopers patrolling in non-traditional, semi-marked vehicles, such as pickup trucks and SUVs. “Our goals are to prevent crashes and save lives,” said Bingham. “We ask motorists to partner with us and take these actions: Buckle up, observe the speed limit, mind the road, not your phone; and if you’re going to drink, designate a sober driver.”

In 2006, trooper-worked fatalities reached their highest level since 1973. Beginning with 2007, trooper-worked crashes, injuries and fatalities have declined for four successive years.

Crashes

Injuries

Fatalities

2010 (year to date)

28,317

12,580

496

2009

30,843

12,983

541

2008

31,403

13,800

635

2007

33,909

15,578

766

2006

35,159

17,338

828

Posted: 2010-12-10 10:33:00 | Last Updated: 2010-12-10 10:33:00

Amber Alert

By WLDX

Brittany Mae Smith was last seen on December 2, 2010 in Roanoke, Virginia. She was allegedly abducted by Jeffrey Easley. A felony warrant is on file for Jeffrey Easley with Roanoke County Police Department. They are believed to be traveling in a Silver Dodge Neon with Virginia license plates, XKF2365. They may be in the State of Alabama. Any information please contact the Roanoke County Police Department at 1-540-777-8641 or Virginia State Police at 1-800-822-4453.

RATE REDUCTIONS FOR POWER AND GAS ANNOUNCED BY THE ALABAMA PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION

By WLDX

MONTGOMERY – Today, the Alabama Public Service Commission voted to extend a fuel cost discount for Alabama Power Company customers. The discount will continue in effect for the period of January 2011 through March 2011. The Commission also voted to reduce the Company’s fuel cost billing factor for the period of April 2011 through December 2011. The combined effect of these adjustments will save Alabama Power Company customers approximately $60 million during the 2011 calendar year, as opposed to rates that were otherwise scheduled to go into effect January 1, 2011. Importantly, the Company’s fuel cost will continue to be billed at the currently discounted rate during the January through March 2011 heating season.

“This is a modest but much appreciated early Christmas present for many hard working Alabamians. As we head into the cold winter months, it’s important that the Commission do all it can to keep power and gas rates as low as possible,” PSC President Lucy Baxley said.

In addition, the Commission reported on filings from Alabama Gas Corporation and Mobile Gas Service Corporation that will result in net rate decreases of approximately 8.7% and 5.5% respectively. The lower rates for both companies reflect operating and gas cost reductions.

Compared to rates in effect one year ago, the average Alagasco residential customer will pay approximately $121 less per year. Results for individual customers will vary according to usage.

Also, the average Mobile Gas residential customer will pay approximately $45 less this year than one year ago. Results for individual customers will vary according to usage.

"Households and businesses in Alabama need all the help they can get during this recession," Dunn said. "We're going to do everything we can to keep the utilities’ rates as low as possible and their service as reliable as possible."

“Today, many Alabamians are struggling and every penny counts. I’m glad the Commission was able to announce some good news about power and gas rates that directly affect the bottom line for most Alabamians. Pennies can add up to real savings, and my goal is to continue looking for ways to pass on savings to Alabama families and small businesses,” Commissioner Twinkle Andress Cavanaugh said.

HUNTSVILLE, Ala. -- The annual NASA Student Launch Projects rocketry challenge, now under way, promises to send aloft more rockets than ever before in its 11-year history. And some of them, for the first time ever, will splash down in the Atlantic Ocean instead of dropping into a North Alabama cornfield.

More than 500 student rocketeers from 25 states will take part in the 2010-11 launch projects. Nineteen middle school and high school teams will tackle the Student Launch Initiative, while 33 college and university teams will go head-to-head in the University Student Launch Initiative. NASA designed the twin projects to give science, mathematics and engineering students a taste of real-world experience, seeking to foster new generations of aerospace professionals to sustain NASA's science and exploration mission.

As in years past, all teams will build powerful rockets of their own design, complete with a working science or engineering payload they also design, install and track during flight. They also create project websites, write preliminary and post-launch reports and develop educational engagement projects for schools and youth organizations in their communities -- sharing their enthusiasm with even younger generations of future explorers.

In spring 2011, the teams will bring their rockets to NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Ala., where engineers developing the nation's next-generation launch vehicles will put the teams' creations through a rigorous flight readiness review and safety inspection. Then students will cluster at a nearby farm to launch their rockets as close as possible to an altitude of 1 mile, vying for a variety of awards for engineering skill and ingenuity. That "launchfest" is set for April 16, 2011.

But not all of this season's competitors will launch over Alabama. Three veteran university teams accepted NASA's "Level 2" challenge to tackle a new flight requirement: design, build and fly a rocket to a maximum altitude of 10,000 feet -- nearly twice the height of the traditional Level 1 university competition. The Level 2 rockets will be launched May 21, 2011, from NASA's Wallops Flight Facility on Wallops Island, Va. They must make a water landing in coastal waters near the NASA test launch facility -- and the rockets stay afloat and intact in the water for one hour before pickup, with science payloads intact.

"So many of our NASA Student Launch Projects teams excel each year at the Level 1 challenge, we decided it was time to introduce a new goal to achieve," said Tammy Rowan, manager of the Marshall Center's Academic Affairs Office, which organizes the rocketry events each year. The Level 2 launch will be a demonstration, not a competition, she said -- but given the past performances of the three teams who accepted the challenge, Rowan said organizers anticipate a heated race to altitude just the same.

NASA extended Level 2 invitations to all college and university teams that placed in the top five finalists in the last two years of competition. Accepting the challenge are teams from Mississippi State University in Starkville, Mitchell Community College in Statesville, N.C., and the University of Alabama in Huntsville -- which placed second, fourth and first, respectively, in the 2009-10 launch challenge.

Level 1 of the University Student Launch Initiative remains a competitive event, sponsored each year by ATK Aerospace Systems of Magna, Utah, which awards $5,000 to the first-place winner. NASA's Science Mission Directorate in Washington also tweaked the Level 1 challenge, offering teams $5,000 each to build a specific payload -- one that will provide challenges similar to those encountered by NASA engineers designing future Mars landers. The payloads will measure pressure, temperature and other atmospheric conditions at regular intervals during descent and return the data remotely to the team on the ground. These entries also must include a global tracking system and an onboard camera that returns a minimum of five pictures. Nineteen of the 30 university Level 1 teams have opted to pursue this option for the current competition.

For more information about this and other NASA education initiatives, visit:

http://www.nasa.gov/education

Posted: 2010-12-03 06:25:00 | Last Updated: 2010-12-03 05:54:00

Exercise Strategy for the Holidays

By WLDX

(HealthNewsDigest.com) - Have you thought about how you're going to stay on track with your exercise program during this holiday season? There are five weeks between Thanksgiving and New Year's, and the way you conduct yourself during this time determines whether you greet 2011 on your game or in need of remedial fitness training!

A little advance planning in terms of your exercise goals and expectations can go a long way to keeping you on track. Goal-setting is one of the best ways to stay motivated to exercise. If you have a clear purpose, you are more likely to persevere. Experts in the field of self-improvement often recommend the SMART system of goal-setting, which states that goals must be Specific,Measurable, Action-oriented, Realistic and Timed.

Specific: "Wanting to stay in shape" is not specific enough. You need to create objectives that will help you stay in shape, such as accumulating 30 minutes of moderate cardio activity 5 days of the week; doing two 15-minute strength training sessions per week; 5 minutes of stretching every day. Regarding your food intake, your goals might be: Eating only one portion of food at your meals, limiting alcohol at parties and just having a taste of rich desserts.

Measurable: It's easy to measure your success in maintaining your weight during this time if you're in the habit of weighing yourself. The scale offers hard evidence! If not, however, you can get a good sense of how you're holding your shape by using a favorite pair of jeans or a skirt as your "tape measure." Hopefully, they will fit just as well on January 2nd as they did on November 24th.

Action-Oriented: Have a written action plan that breaks your long-term goals into weekly targets. This gives you both the satisfaction of meeting short-term goals and a regular opportunity to assess whether your goals are reasonable. Ask yourself: Do your goals fit your lifestyle? Your schedule? Your work and family obligations? If your action plan appears to be unworkable, you need to adjust it.

Realistic: Don't be a casualty of unrealistic goals. For example, if you find it impossible to do your normal strength training routine, do bodyweight exercises like push ups, squats and crunches for muscle maintenance. Small increments of exercise done consistently can be an effective "active rest" from your full program. You'll be that much further ahead when you hit the weight room in January than if you had just given up completely.

Timed: Setting a target date gives you the motivation to stick with an exercise program. How about setting January 1 as the deadline for your maintenance program and the beginning of another phase? As your time frees up from the hectic holiday season, you can devote more time to resuming your normal exercise routine. It's the perfect opportunity to set goals for another 5 weeks and focus on achieving them.

Happy, Healthy Holidays!

Joan Pagano, former trainer to Jacqueline Kennedy, is a best-selling author, a speaker on health and fitness topics and the owner of Joan Pagano Fitness in New York City. For more about Joan and her services, please visit Joan Pagano Fitness

Posted: 2010-12-01 10:10:00 | Last Updated: 2010-12-01 10:10:00

Local Equestrian Wins Gold Medals!!

By WLDX

Ashton Somers of Tuscaloosa Alabama won TWO Gold medals plus many other Champions at this year’s Alabama Hunter Jumper Association Year End Championship show! Ashton loves to ride and chooses to work each day at her home stable Taylor Ridge of Northport to help with the expenses of having a horse. Ashton trains on a regular basis with top notch trainer Walter Bickman in Northport at Taylor Ridge Farm. And, this year she has outgrown her current horse, so she looked for an opportunity to lease a horse and found special horse from Hunter Creek Stables of Fayette….. General Patton’s Champagne a 16.2 hand Warmblood Cross and the pair made a perfect match to win big this year at the renowned AHJA Year End Championship show.

Ashton traveled to Fayette for many horse camps and clinics over the years as her regular trainer Walter Bickman and trainer Jill Dean have a unique business relationship and work together to help coach each others students as needed throughout the year. Upon leasing Patton, Ashton traveled to Fayette to train at Hunter Creek under the instruction of Jill Dean and attended about 4 horse shows to prepare for this Championship show. The Championship horse show was held November 12th thru 14th at the Covington Center in Andalusia Alabama.

The horse show started off with great success for Ashton and Patton as they were Champion in the Schooling Hunter Division on Friday! On the Saturday of the show, they won top ribbons all day and then ended up winning the Gold Medal in the Pre-Children’s Adult Equitation Medal finals. The pair continued to turn up the heat on Sunday as they started the day winning a Gold Medal in the Hunter Derby class and then ending the day also winning first place in the 2’6” Hunter Classic! According to Coach Dean, “Winning these Gold Medals is a great accomplishment for a junior rider as Ashton as she competed against professional riders in both of the classes where she won the Gold Medals.”

Ashton and Patton will also be awarded 2010 AHJA Reserve Champion in Schooling Hunter Division, Non Thoroughbred Division, Pre-Children’s Adult Equitation on the Flat and Pre-Children’s Adult Equitation Over Fences and doing so with only competing at 3 weekend shows this year, which according to Dean is a true testament to both horse and rider to win Reserve Champion for the entire State of Alabama and only competing a handful of times.

Coach Jill Dean states, it is so much fun to train a student like Ashton as she is so coachable, she listens to coaching instructions and implements them without hesitating. Dean also states having a special horse to compliment a talented rider makes it even more fun to be the coach standing outside the ring!

Posted: 2010-11-29 13:08:00 | Last Updated: 2010-11-29 13:08:00

Thanksgiving Garbage Routes

By WLDX

The City of Fayette's Garbage routes for the Thanksgiving Holidays will be as follows:

Thursday's Route will be picked up on Wednesday, November 24th

Friday's Route will be picked up on Monday, November 29th

Please have your garbage at the road by 6 a.m.

Posted: 2010-11-23 14:38:00 | Last Updated: 2010-11-23 13:43:00

ALDOT Urges Motorists to Buckle Up and Stay Safe This Thanksgiving

By WLDX

MONTGOMERY – Highway travel during the 2010 Thanksgiving holiday week is expected to be heavy in Alabama as families head for holiday destinations. The Alabama Department of Transportation urges motorists to drive safely in their travels.

As an added precaution during the heavily travelled holiday, Transportation Director Joe McInnes announced today there would be no temporary lane closures on Alabama interstates after 12 noon, Wednesday, Nov. 24, through midnight, Sunday, Nov. 28. Emergency lane closures may be possible dependant on specific circumstances on interstates and other state roadways.

During the 2009 Thanksgiving holiday period, there were eight traffic fatalities in Alabama – down from 10 the previous year. Alabama’s “Take Back our Highways” campaign has been instrumental in lowering fatalities since its inception in August 2007.

MONTGOMERY — Graduation ceremonies were held Friday, Nov. 19, at the Alabama State Capitol Auditorium in Montgomery for Alabama State Trooper Class 2010-A. Alabama Department of Public Safety Acting Director Col. F.A. Bingham administered the oath of office to commission the 12 new troopers, and Major Charles Andrews, chief of DPS’s Highway Patrol Division, served as guest speaker at the graduation.

Bingham congratulated the class for its hard work and commitment in completing an arduous, 12-week training regimen. He noted the class is the first to graduate from the new Alabama Criminal Justice Training Center on the campus of Wallace Community College Selma. He also commended class members for choosing a career in law enforcement and public service and wished the new troopers every success in their initial duty assignments in the Highway Patrol Division.

During the graduation ceremony, four class members were recognized among their peers for outstanding achievement. James A. Darden received the Marksmanship Award for exhibiting the highest level of knowledge, skill and safety in firearms training. Tommy S. Smith earned the Academic Award for achieving the highest overall grade point average. Ryan J. Key was awarded the Highway Response and Driving Award for demonstrating a high level of knowledge and ability in defensive and pursuit driving. The Fitness Award went to Virgil C. Bowen for attaining the highest level of physical fitness.

Key also was selected as the class’s top performer overall, receiving the Commander’s Award for exhibiting exceptional leadership, professionalism and dedication to Class 2010-A and the Department of Public Safety, while maintaining a high academic average.

A roster of the members of Class 2010-A, along with their post and county assignments, follows:

NamePostCounty

Bradley T. Arledge Jacksonville Talladega

Robert E. Arnold Montgomery Chilton

Virgil C. Bowen Dothan Barbour

James A. Darden Montgomery Chilton

Calvin L. Edwards Selma Dallas

Ryan J. Key Jacksonville Talladega

Orlando B. Morse Tuscaloosa Greene

Carlos A. Reyes Huntsville Jackson

Jacob G. Smith Opelika Lee

Tommy S. Smith Selma Perry

Israel H. Summers Dothan Barbour

Michael J. Webb Jacksonville Talladega

Posted: 2010-11-19 13:48:00 | Last Updated: 2010-11-19 13:48:00

ALABAMA PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION ADOPTS STRONGEST ETHICS POLICY IN COMMISSION HISTORY

By WLDX

MONTGOMERY – The Alabama Public Service Commission adopted new rules Thursday, making the Agency’s ethics policy the strongest in Commission history.

At the Commission’s first meeting, the newly-elected commissioners, Twinkle Andress Cavanaugh and Terry Dunn, along with Public Service Commission President Lucy Baxley spoke with a unified voice to set the tone for the new commission. Commissioners cited the need for transparency and a strong ethical foundation at the Commission as reasons for taking action at the first meeting of the new Commission. The new policy enacted by the Commission will supplement the existing Employee Handbook.

“These new rules and guidelines set the highest ethical standards for conducting business at the Alabama Public Service Commission,” Commissioner Cavanaugh said. “Small businesses and consumers deserve a fair hearing and this new ethics policy underscores the Commission’s dedication to fairness.”

Commissioner Dunn said the public outcry for ethics reform was his key motivation for taking this action at the Commission’s first meeting. “The voters have spoken loud and clear that they want a true commitment to accountability, and these new rules deliver that commitment to them,” Commissioner Dunn said.

“The PSC is blessed with an experienced and professional staff. In my tenure there has never been an issue with our employees and the ethics commission. Today’s new employee guidelines protect not only the ratepayers but our employees themselves from outside lobbyists. If we Commissioners lead by example, it will likely never become an issue for our staff. That’s why I added the amendment to prevent Commissioners from taking campaign contributions from lobbyists,” PSC President Lucy Baxley said.

Below are highlights of the new policy:

In addition to the existing state law, the Alabama Public Service Commission requires that no member or employee of the Alabama Public Service Commission shall solicit or accept any gift or campaign contribution from a lobbyist representing an industry regulated by the Alabama Public Service Commission.

The Alabama Public Service Commission will designate an ethics officer from among existing employees. The ethics officer will provide annual ethics training for the staff, and collect reports of gifts from staff members which will be available as a matter of public record.

Posted: 2010-11-19 07:00:00 | Last Updated: 2010-11-19 06:02:00

Dynamic Advances in Pain Management

By WLDX

(HealthNewsDigest.com) - NEW YORK – November 2010 – The North American Neuromodulation Society (NANS), comprised of over 600 members from the medical community, is noting the end of the “Decade of Pain Control and Research,” an era announced by Congress in 2000. During this time there have been great strides made in the management of pain through neuromodulation. According to Dr. Joshua Prager, MD, MS, former president of NANS, “Once thought of as futuristic, neuromodulation, the implantation of half-dollar size battery operated, pain control systems have revolutionized the way pain sufferers can live.”

Neuromodulation is among the most rapidly growing fields in medicine today. Simply explained, it is the targeting of low levels of electrical pulses or micro-doses of medicine to the nervous system structures either in the spinal cord or periphery to block pain signals from the brain. This application to the nervous system relieves pain, improves function and quality of life.

First introduced over 40 years ago, the past ten years have seen dynamic improvements to the modality through the coordinated efforts of medical professionals and engineers throughout the world. Some of these changes include:

Patient-Centric Design and Control: Patients are searching for treatment options for chronic problems and debilitating diseases. Being able to provide therapy that can be customized for each patient is extremely important to the success of neurostimulation therapy. Patients with chronic pain may present very different symptoms, both in severity and location, which complicates product design. New technology incorporates design requirements that are compatible with a broad range of patients while allowing customization via surgical procedure, physician programming, or patient interface, to help optimize the therapeutic outcome. These devices utilize a simple easy-to-use patient programmer that enables the patient to change programs within preset parameters and turn the device on and off. This empowers patients to be actively involved in the management of their pain.

In addition to having the ability to control their therapy, the development of small low profile devices has been beneficial for patients whose body type requires a smaller device. For these patients, the thin profile, implant depth and small size allow these devices to be placed more discreetly, potentially making them less noticeable and more comfortable.

Miniaturization of implants: Many neurostimulation companies have opted to develop devices with rechargeable power systems. These systems have an internal battery that is recharged by an external power source. The rechargeable design allows for miniaturization of the implanted IPG. Approximately the size of a thick U.S. silver dollar, this rechargeable device treats chronic pain of the trunk or limbs and pain from failed back surgery.Patients want a therapy that will control their pain, but they don’t want the device to be noticeable. Miniaturization of neurostimulators has provided them with devices that are more comfortable, as well as cosmetically appealing, while still delivering sustainable therapy for many years.

Advancements in the microelectronics housed within a neurostimulator enable these devices to meet a wide variety of power, speed, processing, and memory requirements, all with strict quality and reliability performance.

Development of new electronic leads: Initial electrode designs were transferred from cardiac pace makers and defibrillation lead designs which meant they were not optimized for neurological anatomy. Designs have since evolved to allow for greater flexibility in programming. These improved designs can provide more directional control of the therapy. Additionally, new electrode designs are constructed to require less power consumption while still achieving the desired therapy.

The leads low impedance design contributes to the system longevity, durability and efficient energy delivery. Electrode size and spacing is optimized to provide the right balance of coverage and specificity.

Advanced programming for implants: Customized programming allows clinicians to program patients’ implant for a wide variety of needs. Advancements in this area include the ability to manage up to multiple pain areas simultaneously, address complex pain patterns while maintaining the capacity to program for patients with different needs. Programming has improved in tandem with the development of more advanced neurostimulation leads. These leads arrays provide more programming options than systems a decade ago. Together, lead design and programming capabilities have lead to the development of a more sustainable therapy. Patients who in the past might have required re-operation are now able to have their implant reprogrammed, often resulting in a return to successful pain relief.

Neuromodulation can relieve chronic back pain, pain from cancer and other nerve injuries, including Parkinson’s Disease, Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS) and Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy (RSD) greatly improving the quality of life for patients.

Over the past ten years, patients have become better informed advocates through the use of the internet. The availability of sourced, accurate information online has provided patients with the ability to reach out to appropriate medical professionals to learn about ways to improve their physical difficulties.

About the North American Neuromodulation Society (NANS):

The North American Neuromodulation Society (NANS) is dedicated to being the premier organization representing neuromodulation. NANS promotes multidisciplinary collaboration among clinicians, scientists, engineers, and others to advance neuromodulation through education, research, innovation and advocacy. Through these efforts NANS seeks to promote and advance the highest quality patient care. http://www.neuromodulation.org/

Key facts on neuromodulation: alleviates or lessens pain without putting patients into a “drug fog”; improves the quality of life for patients in pain; devices can be “test driven”; devices can be removed; devices distribute micro-doses of medicine or controlled minor electrical rhythms; is FDA approved and has been used in practice for more than two decades; is covered by most medical insurance and Medicare programs.

Posted: 2010-11-18 14:13:00 | Last Updated: 2010-11-18 14:13:00

Rifle squad honors vets with 57,000 goodbyes

By Associated Press

MINNEAPOLIS – The bus stops on the cemetery path and the silver-haired men file out, sober-faced and silent amid a sea of white marble tombstones. Some carry rifles, some flags, a few hold bugles. They've all come to say goodbye — to a stranger.

This is their eighth funeral of the day. They have five more to go.

The men are members of a special fraternity of veterans. Two generations. Three wars. Survivors of places such as Khe Sanh, Chu Lai, Tokyo Bay, the Chosin Reservoir. Recipients of Purple Hearts and Bronze Stars. Now all together, offering a final salute to those who, like them, served long ago.

Their gait may be slower than it once was, their shoulders a bit more stooped, their eyesight not quite as sharp, but every weekday, 12 months a year, in knee-deep snow and blistering heat, the men of the Fort Snelling Memorial Rifle Squad are out in force and in formation, paying tribute to veterans being laid to rest.

The volunteer squad travels in its own bus across the vast Fort Snelling National Cemetery, conducting full military honors: The call to arms. The white-gloved salute. Three rounds of rifle shots. The mournful wail of two bugles. The folding of the flag. A few words of thanks to the family. Then one final salute.

"When you fire those three volleys and play Taps, that's a signal to somebody upstairs that someone special — a veteran — is on the way there," says Ted Nemzek, an 82-year-old squad member and Korean War vet whose Bronze Star hangs jauntily from his cap. "It's a wonderful way to say goodbye. It's meaningful."

He should know. He and the squad have said goodbye more than 57,000 times.

It began with a man named George Weiss Jr. more than 30 years ago when a friend, a World War II fighter pilot, died and some buddies at the VFW post in the tiny town of Mendota asked him to gather a rifle squad for the proper military send-off. Easier said than done.

Weiss had to snag a local high school kid to play the bugle and call in some favors to gather a six-man team. That got him thinking. There had to be others who'd need the tribute. So he began making the rounds to VFW and American Legion halls, pitching the idea.

A squad was born. It has been going ever since.

Weiss, now 82, is the only original survivor, a wiry great-grandfather with a hankering for Harleys (he drove one until he was in his 70s) and a razor-sharp memory of being 17 and so eager to be a part of World War II that he dropped out of high school and joined the Marines. He wound up in China in 1945.

The military, as it turned out, has served as bookends in his life. He took off his Marine uniform as a young man, had a long career at the Ford Motor Co., then in 1979, found himself saluting once more at the squad's first funeral. At 50, he was the youngest member.

He's still at it every Friday, donning the squad's official outfit — a black jacket with a patch that features the Veterans Affairs eagle emblem, black shoes and tie, white shirt with collar pins and overseas cap. The 128-member squad is divided into five groups; each man volunteers on a designated weekday.

Weiss, who has attended thousands of funerals, says the goodbyes are especially poignant for those who've outlived family and have few or no mourners. That's most common for World War II vets; on average, 737 die each day across the country, according to the VA.

"Let me put it this way," Weiss says, "last Friday, we had 15 or 16 funerals. Three of them had just one car. One had just one person. Here's someone who had spent time in the military and had protected his country and he had just one mourner. Well, he had 23 members of our squad out there. I know this sounds melodramatic ... but he did not go out alone."

"I don't know if that makes sense to you," he says, "but it does to me."

It does, too, to President Barack Obama.

Last summer, Weiss' contribution earned him an invitation to the White House, where Obama honored him and a dozen others with the Presidential Citizen's Medal, the nation's second-highest honor for civilians.

Weiss savors the memory of that August day and the ego boost of having the president quote and praise him. "I had to make sure my head wasn't too big for my shoulders," he says, his blue eyes sparkling.

He had a plan. He would salute the president when he received his medal. "I asked the Marine captain (if it would be OK) and ... and he said he IS the commander in chief," Weiss recalls.

Weiss did just that, raising his hand in a crisp salute, and was thrilled when Obama returned it and made the day even more special with a "way to go" atta boy.

The squad is now an institution at Fort Snelling, where more than 192,000 veterans (men and women) and their families from as far back as the Civil War are buried. About 20 funerals are held daily.

Squad members receive a schedule of funerals daily, but usually know nothing about the person beyond the branch of service, unless someone has clipped out a newspaper obituary. On rare occasions, there's someone of special distinction, such as one of the Marines who planted the flag at Iwo Jima.

There are other rifle squads across the country, but the Fort Snelling group is believed to be the only all-volunteer one with such a lengthy record of continuous service. It has presided at more than 57,000 funerals, never missing one because of weather.

Virtually everyone in the group is retired; members have held almost every kind of job: postmaster, engineer, teacher, firefighter, welder, autoworker, printer, VA hospital director, even the state's former veterans affairs commissioner.

They span all military branches and more than 30 years in age. Among the most senior is Dick O'Toole, 87, who refused to let a heart defect and a warning at the enlistment office — "don't come back even if there's an invasion" — stop him. He found a home in the Merchant Marine during World War II. The 'baby' is Tim Gabrio, 59, a ruddy-faced Navy vet who helped rescue 102 downed pilots in Vietnam. He's now disabled, with a leg brace — the effects of exposure to Agent Orange.

Like others, Gabrio says he doesn't need to know the names or biographies of those he honors.

"It doesn't matter not knowing them," he says. "It's knowing what they did for their country."

Nemzek, too, says there's an instant kinship with all the men and women he helps bury.

"I know what it's like to be shot at," he says. "I know the experience. I understand what this vet may have been though ... You know what it's like to be damned scared. You know what it's like to have that kind of feeling wondering if you're going to be around tomorrow. It doesn't make any difference whether it's Iraq, Korea or Vietnam. Vets just seem to appreciate other vets."

That goes for squad members themselves.

Each morning before the funerals, they gather in a building on the cemetery grounds to clean their rifles (they used the 1903 Springfield model), play cribbage, swap stories, and share coffee, home-baked goods whipped up by one of their wives and a few laughs.

"We're close. Very close," Weiss says. "Closer than brothers."

So much so that each death is mourned like it's a family member. The squad lost five members last year, including one Korean War vet who'd been a longtime prisoner of war. Some men have quit because of illness, but others who've had cancer, diabetes, cataracts, heart and knee surgery keep coming.

Every one has a reason.

For Archie Hazzard, the 76-year-old commander of the squad, it's a chance to honor vets who are much like his family. He decided to join the day in 1983 when he was at Fort Snelling, burying his father, also Archie, who'd landed at Normandy. His uncle Chuckie is there, too; he died a day after his 19th birthday in the Battle of the Bulge. A great-uncle from World War I and two Vietnam-era cousins are there, too.

"How can you walk among all these rows ... and not be honored and humbled and see this as hallowed ground?" Hazzard asks.

For others, there are different motivations.

For Fran Buesgens a 64-year-old retired teacher, this makes amends for something he DIDN'T do — go to Vietnam, even though he served in the Army during that time.

"I'm still having guilt feelings for having it easy," says Buesgens, who also notes that hanging around the World War II guys gives him insight into his father's experiences. "It kind of fills in holes for me because my dad would never talk about it," he says.

For Tom Mullon, an Army Vietnam vet, it's something of a natural progression. He was a director of a VA hospital, then a VA home, and now this ... "I wanted to stay in the veterans business," he says with a smile.

Truth be told, it's not all bleak.

There are lighter moments, especially witnessing the creative containers people have chosen for their cremated remains: a Wheaties box, duffel bag, briefcase, cowboy boot, golf clubs, salt-and-pepper shakers and a cake, which turned out to contain the ashes of, what else, a baker.

One squad member also remembers overhearing an amusing exchange one day when a mourner leaned over to point out the squad to a little boy, telling him, "Those are the men who protected our country." To which the puzzled kid said, "Those old guys?"

Being in a cemetery every week, though, it's hard NOT to think of your own mortality — and the feeling that someday you'll be the one remembered.

Don Fisher, now 63, says he sometimes notices old boot camp photos at ceremonies and has an eerie feeling of familiarity. "You think to yourself, you know that guy's YOUR age," he says. "It's just very strange."

Fisher, a Purple Heart recipient injured by a booby trap in Vietnam, also says he's a bit surprised to be part of something connected to the military after a lifetime as an engineer in the corporate world.

"The Vietnam generation, you came home and you just put it away," he says. "I wasn't ashamed ... but you had to get back to your life."

"Now 25, 30, 40 years later, you're doing something good and honorable," he says, and "maybe it's a chance to do the salutes you didn't get — or the ones you would have liked to see yourself."

George Weiss has plans for his final salute.

He has a 2-foot-tall solid brass shell casing from a 105mm howitzer that will house his cremated remains; it was purchased on eBay.

He wants to be buried on a Friday, so his squad can do the honors.

He doesn't want anyone to play "Taps." He prefers "Reveille."

Why a song marking the beginning of a new day? Maybe, he says, it's a message to the heavens: "Look out, here I come."

Published November 10, 2010 | Associated Press

Posted: 2010-11-11 08:31:00 | Last Updated: 2010-11-11 08:31:00

Loving Your Soldier From a Distance

By WLDX

(HealthNewsDigest.com) - November 11th is Veteran’s Day, and we are all thinking about our soldiers who are serving their country so far away. A long distance relationship can be exciting and novel when it involves two people willing to make it work. The novelty and excitement wears off when the long distance relationship involves loving a soldier. Worry and stress fill its place. It’s one thing to be able to plan romantic weekends, fancy hotels, and fine dining. It’s quite another when your significant other is somewhere in the world that is dangerous and there is little chance you will see them for months at a time. When two people are committed and in love anything is possible. The key seems to be within each person’s ability to live in the present and make the most of any form of communication possible. Below are a few ideas that may make that distance seem a little less distant and deepen your level of understanding what the true meaning of love is:

1. Communicate in some way every day. That can be an email, a letter, a prayer, or putting together a care package. As long as you are thinking of your soldier, you are communicating. When someone is so far away little things become big things. A small care package with their favorite cologne or perfume means so much. Pictures of you and your family make the distance seem reachable. A funny cartoon or photo lets your soldier know they are still very much on your mind. 2. Talk to your soldier about how you feel in regards to the distance. Let them know that you worry, and anticipate their return. Depth in a relationship grows when two people share their concerns openly. Do you feel lonely for their touch? Do you worry about them not feeling the same way about you when they come home? Discussing these feeling broaden your ability to trust each other with your inner most self. 3. Keep a schedule. Having down time to think is difficult when you and your beloved are far apart. Staying busy makes the time go faster, and it also helps you focus on life instead of worrying about your soldier. If your soldier knows you are enjoying life and staying busy it will help them know you are okay. This eases their mind too, if they know you are taking care of yourself and the family. 4. Make plans for your reunion with your soldier. Make sure you have time together with the whole family, as well as each other alone. It’s important that you schedule and protect private time to reconnect and hold each other. Being apart is stressful and this time of coming together is healing for both of you. Don’t fill the time home with family parties and friends. Allow the silence and reconnecting and give it space. 5. Trust is not an option when you love a soldier; it is a necessity. When you get anxious or miss your soldier the most it is easy to wonder if they are feeling the same about you. They are too far away to be reassured when you are feeling isolated or alone. Leaning to trust their love is the single most important aspect of loving a soldier who is far away.

When you love a soldier you understand that every moment is a possible memory. You savor the present because life doesn’t offer you an alternative. Most of us need to remind ourselves that this could be our last day, but we live it. You live having to trust, you live having to have faith in each other’s love. As all things in life, having a long distance relationship with a soldier is an opportunity to be the closest to anyone you will ever be. On this Veteran’s Day I want to say “thank you” to all the Veteran’s and military personal serving our Country.” You are not alone, you are not forgotten”. –Mary Jo Rapini

Posted: 2010-11-10 06:20:00 | Last Updated: 2010-11-10 06:20:00

Does Falling in Love Cause Obesity in Women?

By WLDX

(HealthNewsDigest.com) - New research shows that within a few years of getting married, individuals are twice as likely to become obese than their unmarried partners who are dating. The study was published in the July issue of Obesity. The authors had originally tried to determine how romantic relationship affected weight gain. They studied 6,949 people for several years. They found that not only are married people more likely to become obese than those who are just dating, but young people who cohabitate with their partners tend to gain weight. The study also showed that unmarried women who have lived with their boyfriends for five years or less had a 63% increased chance for developing obesity. Men on the other hand had no increase of gaining weight during cohabitation.

Why does this happen? The researchers questioned 1,293 couples for a separate part of the study. It appears mealtime became more important than it was when the people were living alone. Secondly, workouts don’t get done the way they did in the past prior to living with the significant other. Individuals begin to feel loved and accepted for who they are. For some this may mean letting themselves go. They are no longer trying to find a perfect mate; they live with them.

Scientists have known for a long while that having a close relationship with an obese person, whether a friend or a spouse makes you more likely to become obese. Amy Gorin PhD, an assistant professor of psychology at the University of Connecticut, published a study in 2009 showing that if one spouse participates in a weight-loss program, the unenrolled spouse tends to lose 5 lbs. Marriage does have benefits, including living longer and being able to give up bad habits. You don’t have to gain weight just because you decide to marry or live with the love of your life. Perhaps focusing on working together for a healthy life style is the key. Ten ways to begin a healthy life style with the one you love:

1. Clean out your pantry, tossing anything you snack on that is in a bag or wrapper. 2. Stock up on fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean protein. 3. Make your home a “NO SODA ZONE.” Nothing will make an immediate change in your diet program as quickly as quitting soda. 4. Stock up on water, and whenever you are hungry drink a cup of water first. 5. Make a pact to try one new exercise a week. For example, Monday can be walking leisurely 2 miles. Tuesday can be going up and down the stairs for 10 minutes. Wednesday can be walking as fast as you can for 1 mile. Thursday can be chair marching for every commercial in an hour program on television. Friday can be walking leisurely for 3 miles. Saturday can be gardening or sweeping your sidewalks for one 30 minutes. Sunday could be reserved for a day of rest. 6. Instead of going out to eat, go out for appetizers and limit yourself to one drink. 7. Make a pact as a team not to eat past 7 p.m. 8. Tell each other how great the other looks. 9. Tell each other how grateful you are to be on a “Healthy Life Style Team” with them. 10. Whenever you want to snack, write down: why do I want this, what is it going to do for me, and is there a better food for my body?

Being married or living with the one you love is like having a built in “Fan club.” Motivating each other to live a healthy life style is not only good for your waist. It is good for your intimacy and sex drive. We all can change; it just takes one person in the relationship to be a catalyst for the other. –Mary Jo Rapini

Posted: 2010-11-08 13:25:00 | Last Updated: 2010-11-08 12:27:00

Turn Back The Clocks

By WLDX

Daylight Saving Time ends Sunday at 2 AM. Set your clocks back one hour.

Posted: 2010-11-06 22:10:00 | Last Updated: 2010-11-06 22:10:00

Is Your Relationship Making You Sick?

By WLDX

(HealthNewsDigest.com) - According to a new Canadian study published in Health Psychology, people who feel insecure in their relationships may be at an increased risk for cardiovascular disease and other health problems. In fact, according to the United States National Co-morbidity Survey of Replication, those who feel insecure in relationships or avoid getting close to others appear to have an increased risk of developing several chronic illnesses.

Research was done on 5,646 adults between the ages of 18 and 60 years. They found an association between “avoidant attachments” and chronic pain, such as severe headaches. If you feel unable to get close to people or have people depend on you, then you may become stressed because you do not share problems or feelings that you may have. Carrying this burden alone not only stresses people psychologically, but also physically. People who felt insecure about their current relationships were further stressed with “anxious attachment.” These people reported feeling overly needy and found that others were reluctant to get close to them. These feelings were associated with several health problems, including heart-related problems, hypertension, strokes, ulcers and chronic pain.

Most of us have experienced the upset stomach and headaches that go along with being in an insecure relationship. You may have an insecure relationship if you cannot count on the person, if you feel they are lying to you, or if you feel “clingy.” If you feel this way and you have children, many times they will experience headaches and tummy aches or complain they are not feeling well. Your insecurity is transferred to them, and they become insecure about you and their other parent. With a divorce rate above fifty percent, we see stress not only among spouses, but also among children, who are experiencing stress-related illnesses.

If you are feeling insecure in your relationship, here are a few suggestions that may make you feel stronger:

1. Being clingy is never attractive. It feels terrible to the person experiencing it, and the spouse who has to deal with it may move further away. A better tactic is to create boundaries for yourself. Instead of calling your spouse ten times a day, have a set time and ask them to call you. Explain to them that you are working on becoming less dependent. 2. Stop comparing your spouse to past relationships that did not work out. Instead, focus on allowing your partner to be free to prove themselves to you. 3. Make dates with your friends or go out with your family instead of demanding all of your partner’s time. Friends are important to all of us. If your spouse wants you to join him or her while they are out with their friends, they will ask you. If you begin inviting yourself to your spouse’s outings, you will become a nuisance. Couples need friends they share, and they also need friends that are exclusive to them. 4. If your partner has children from another marriage, don’t insist that you go out with them every time they are together. They were a family before you came along. They will love you more if you understand and encourage their time together. 5. When your partner has hurt you, talk about it. Tell them while you were hurt. When hurt feelings are ignored, they usually remain in our heads as tapes. When we are feeling insecure, they play very loud. The replaying of old tapes makes us cling more. 6. Make your relationship one of transparency. Many couples get jealous and insecure when things are left open with ambiguity. When you are asked a question, don’t skirt around the issue. Be direct and say it like it is. 7. Listen to your partner, and try to see things from their point of view. It doesn’t have to be your way and needing it to be so makes people move further from you rather than closer. 8. Make a rule not to communicate with old lovers from the past. Women and men have a vivid imagination, and when they feel threatened from your past, they become more dependent and controlling. 9. Don’t cheat. The most insecure relationships I see are the ones where two cheaters married each other. If you know your partner cheated in the past, it is difficult to believe they won’t cheat on you. If you cheated in the past, you know lies can disguise the truth all too well. 10. Work on yourself. Usually, when we feel insecure in a relationship, it is because we doubt our own assets. Explore and be curious about yourself. Get to know all the wonderful things about you.

We all know the importance of being healthy. We try to eat right, exercise, and live a healthy lifestyle. Sometimes we forget the health of our relationships. Working on your relationships not only improves your marriage and family; it could save your life. –Mary Jo Rapini

Posted: 2010-11-05 06:30:00 | Last Updated: 2010-11-05 06:30:00

The Unofficial Results for Fayette County Election 2010

By WLDX

Straight Party

Democrat 930 52.93%

Republican 827 47.07%

Governor

Ron Sparks (Dem) 1,879 30.86%

Robert Bentley (Rep) 4,192 68.86%

Lt. Governor

Jim Folsom, Jr. (Dem) 3,306 55.20%

Kay Ivey (Rep) 2,678 44.72%

Attorney General

James H. Anderson (Dem) 2,226 37.77%

Luther Strange (Rep) 3,662 62.14%

State Representative, District No. 6

Roger Bedford, Jr. (Dem) 3,097 51.50%

Jim Bonner (Rep) 2,913 48.44%

State Representative, District No. 16

William E. Thigpen, Sr. (Dem) 3,615 59.80%

Daniel H. Boman (Rep) 2,426 40.13%

State Treasurer

Charley Grimsley (Dem) 3,581 60.18%

Young Boozer (Rep) 2,367 39.78%

Fayette County Commission, District No. 3

Nicky Whitehead (Dem) 539 51.93%

Mark Clark (Rep) 499 48.07%

Fayette County Sheriff

Rodney Ingle (Dem) 4,380 51.93%

Jimmy Ray Swindle (Rep) 1,583 26.41%

Fayette County Board of Education, District No. 2

Donald R. Wright (Dem) 314 30.52%

Keith Madison (Rep) 714 69.39%

Fayette County Board of Education, District No. 3

Tom Hubbert (Dem) 531 51.01%

Amy Baker Aldridge (Rep) 509 48.90%

Proposed Statewide Amendment Number One (1)

Yes 1,595 37.07%

No 2,708 62.93%

Proposed Statewide Amendment Number Two (2)

Yes 1,840 41.5%

No 2,588 58.45%

Proposed Statewide Amendment Number Three (3)

Yes 2,376 46.24%

No 2,762 53.76%

Proposed Statewide Amendment Number Four (4)

Yes 1,552 42.81%

No 2,073 57.19%

Posted: 2010-11-03 09:50:00 | Last Updated: 2010-11-03 09:50:00

Election Night Reporting System Available Statewide for General Election

By WLDX

MONTGOMERY, Ala. – Secretary of State Beth Chapman has announced the state’s first ever election night reporting system will be live statewide during the November 2nd general election. The system will collect election results from all 67 counties and make them available on the web the moment they are entered on election night.

The election night reporting system, or ENR, takes vote totals directly from each county and displays them in a usable format on the internet. Once the results are posted to the web, they will be displayed using maps and graphics to show vote totals, percentages and other important information to the public. The system is part of Chapman’s initiative to bring the Secretary of State’s office into the 21st century by using new technology to better serve the citizens of Alabama and provide maximum transparency in the elections process.

“We are excited to provide this new and exciting service to the citizens of Alabama,” said Chapman. “This is just one of the many ways my office promotes fair and honest elections: through transparency and access to valuable election information. Alabamians will be able to see democracy in action as it unfolds before their eyes in a state of the art way.”

MONTGOMERY, Ala. - Secretary of State Beth Chapman has announced she is offering to pay the sum of $5,000 for information reported to heroffice that leads to a felony conviction of voter fraud in the state of Alabama.

In the last election, Chapman formed a unit within her office to help citizens who wish to report voter fraud. The website, www.stopvoterfraudnow.com, allows voters to submit voter fraud complaints over the internet and several other methods, including a toll-free hotline.

“Since establishing the voter fraud unit in my office two years ago, more concerned citizens have stepped up and reported voter fraud than ever before,” said Chapman. “Alabamians are fed up with voter fraud and have decided that enough is enough. They want to protect democracy from those who are destroying it. I hope that peoplewith information will come forward so that justice can be served.”

MONTGOMERY (NWNews.us) Fayette Elementary and Winfield Elementary were among schools honored Friday as recipients of the 2010 USDA HealthierUS Schools Challenge Awards. Fayette was one of only 60 schools nationwide -- 39 in Alabama -- that received the USDA’s highest recognition – the Gold Award of Distinction. Winfield received a silver award.

The celebration, in Pelham, honored the 52 Alabama public school award recipients. These awards from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) National School Lunch Programs honor schools for promoting a healthy school environment.

The Fayette Legislative Debate will be held tonight at the Fayette Civic Center beginning at 6 p.m. For House of Representative 16th District of Alabama Daniel Boman will debate with William Thigpen and for Senate 6th District of Alabama Jim Bonner will debate with Roger Bedford. Remember to make change VOTE November 2nd.

Posted: 2010-10-28 11:08:00 | Last Updated: 2010-10-28 11:08:00

School Closings

By WLDX

School closings due to approaching inclemement weather:

Fayette County: 12:15 PM;

Marion County: 11:30 AM.

Posted: 2010-10-26 10:49:00 | Last Updated: 2010-10-26 09:08:00

These 3 Minutes Can Change Your Marriage

By WLDX

(HealthNewsDigest.com) - I’m sure you have seen it before. You and your partner go out for a nice dinner and get seated next to another couple. They begin bickering, and before long you are sorry you are sitting next to them. Their talk is unkind to one another, and you can only wonder why they are hashing their problems out over dinner.

John Gottman and Sybil Carre`re studied 124 couples who were married for less than nine months. They watched and coded positive actions or words indicating interest, validation, affection, humor, and joy. They also looked for warning signs including contempt, belligerence, disgust, dominance, anger, fear, tension, defensiveness, sadness and stonewalling. The results showed that the first three minutes of an argument set the tone for the entire discussion. Along with this study, the University of Washington demonstrated that watching the first three minutes of a couple’s conversation helped them predict which couples would stay married and which would head for divorce.

For couples feeling overwhelmed with their marriage, this research is encouraging. After all, you don’t have to do a total marriage make-over. You just need to focus on how you say things and shorten the whole day down to segments of three minutes. The first three minutes is where couples should begin to make an impact. If you can get the first three minutes right in an argument or discussion, you can improve your entire relationship, according to the research.

This happens frequently in my office. It is one reason I like adult-talk, no insults of one another, and candor whenever possible. It is revealing to couples when I sit with them, write down the positive and negative words I hear, and then after 10 minutes suggest to them that this is what I heard them say to one another. Their homework is to change the negative words to positive words within the first three minutes of their conversations. I actually witness them taking a breath of relief when they believe their marriage is not insurmountable to repair. Tips to think about for your first three minutes:

1. Talk to your spouse about making this change in your relationship. Try to be aware of what the other is saying, especially when the discussion begins. 2. Encourage each other when you notice you are beginning the conversation with more affection or humor, rather than contempt or anger. 3. Habits take about 30 days to create. Make a plan that you will do this for one month. This helps it feel manageable, and most people like time limits. 4. Don’t be surprised when you see your children change as you are changing. Encourage them by explaining what you hear when they talk. Conversation is modeled. Children say what they hear. When I talk to teens, I have a very good idea of how mom and dad speak in the home. 5. In cases of abuse or addiction, you must think about your survival and your children. This method may work, but not without expert counseling or in-patient help. Save yourself and children first and then focus on your marriage.

Nothing is more important than your marriage. It is the backbone of your family for generations to come. If three minutes could save it, why wouldn’t you try? –Mary Jo Rapini

Posted: 2010-10-25 08:37:00 | Last Updated: 2010-10-25 08:37:00

Get Out And VOTE November 2nd

By WLDX

WLDX Reminding everyone to go out and vote for the candidate of your choice!

Posted: 2010-10-19 13:42:00 | Last Updated: 2010-10-29 07:53:00

Why Do I Still Feel Fat ?

By WLDX

(HealthNewsDigest.com) - One of the most common things I hear patients say after weight loss surgery is “Why do I still feel fat?” This may be said years after the patient has lost weight. They continue to wear baggy clothes and judge themselves as inadequate. No one can fully comprehend how obesity affects people. Many don’t realize how obesity can cause not only self hate, but also self incrimination. It is easy to understand how society and well-meaning family members may have hurt the obese person’s sense of self. However, little is known about how the obese person tortures themselves due to their weight. In a sense, they have become numb to how cruel they have treated themselves. Research suggests that people who undergo major weight loss may experience improvements in appearance satisfaction, though not necessarily as much satisfaction as someone who was never overweight. Negative tapes are not easy to extinguish, and most overweight people have lots of negative tapes.

Experts say part of the problem in our body-obsessed culture is that many women (and increasingly more men) have very unrealistic expectations of what weight loss can do for them. Too often people think hitting their ideal weight will make them look like a movie star or a model. They are then disappointed when that’s not the case. Add to that the fact that many overweight people were told things such as “You have such a pretty face, if only you lost some weight” or “If you don’t lose weight, no one will want to be with you.” Weight, rather than whom you are as a person, becomes the focus. When you begin to think this way, you project all of your faults or weaknesses onto your weight. When you lose the weight and your life isn’t perfect, you focus on your body and become critical of the way it looks. Maybe your buttocks isn’t plump or you have more of a boyish look and aren’t curvy. You tell yourself you need to lose more weight because you are not perfect yet. The issue has nothing to do with you weighing less; it has to do with adapting to your changed body and developing other areas of interests.

Along with this idea of perfection being a certain weight are the past attempts of weight loss these patients have gone through. Most patients that are overweight have experienced several weight fluctuations. They first experience a sense of success and then the incredible impact of failure. After bariatric surgery, they are very aware that this tool can fail if they aren’t vigilant in regards to their lifestyle. Most of them have great difficulty giving their “fat” clothes away. They ask themselves, “Is it safe? Will I go back?” This is a rite of passage. Some patients go through it quickly while others evaluate every pound before giving their clothes away. Some of these patients are more comfortable dressing in big clothes for a long time, just in case. They are unsure that they are as thin as the scale claims. This takes time. It is like walking on a thin plank; falling is a step away. How can patients learn to adjust to their new size with a greater sense of confidence? Below are a few suggestions:

1. Counseling will help you realize where you have been. Knowing this will offer you greater understanding of why you are feeling this way. Making changes will be easier if you understand yourself more completely. 2. Tracing your body once a month will help you visualize the true reality of what your body looks like. 3. Writing your thoughts or starting a journal will help you understand how you used denial in the past to cope with your weight. This will make it less likely that you will see your body unrealistically. 4. Taking photos of yourself each month will help you see your body more clearly. When people are obese they begin to look at their body from the neck up; rarely do they see their whole body. 5. Praying and praising your body for what it can do will help erase some of those negative tapes in your head. 6. Attending support groups offer you objective advice from many people who struggle as you do with their weight. There is knowledge and power from being with others who share the same journey.

The journey of weight loss is a challenging one. It involves the mind almost exclusively. Most journeys have a beginning and an end. The weight loss journey is unique in that it is ongoing and takes on a life lesson all its own. How you view your body affects how your children will view their body. Begin today to make a peace with your body. Choose to celebrate your body in all of its incredible abilities. The only person who knows when you are perfect or no longer “too fat” is you. Give yourself permission to be perfect today. –Mary Jo Rapini

Posted: 2010-10-19 09:59:00 | Last Updated: 2010-10-19 09:59:00

Homecoming Parade Today!!

By WLDX

Reminding everyone in Fayette that today is Homecoming for the Fayette Tigers!!

Homecoming parade will be held at 1:15 p.m.

Then join WLDX tonght with Steve Dean & Mike Newman for the pre-game show with kickoff at 7 p.m.

The Fayette Tigers will take on Oak Grove tonight.

Posted: 2010-10-15 10:43:00 | Last Updated: 2010-10-15 10:43:00

FAYETTE CHILDREN AWARDED STATE SENATE RESOLUTIONS!

By WLDX

Congratulations to Fayette Children being honored with a State Senate Resolution! Cooper Dean age 10 of Fayette, son of Steve and Jill Dean and Julianna Dubielak age 13 also of Fayette, daughter of Eric and Kristine Dubielak were awarded an Alabama State Senate Resolution at the Fayette County Commissioners meeting Monday Oct 11th 2010, to honor their success at the 2010 4H Southern Regional Horse Championships held in Clemson South Carolina this summer. The Senate Resolution gave honor to Cooper and his pony "Smooch'N On Me" won a Gold Medal in the Pony Hunter Over Fences competition and many other Top 5 places and Julianna and her pony "Get Over It" won 4th place in Hunter Type Mares. This 4H competition includes 13 Southern States that come together to compete. Cooper and Julianna are members of the Fayette County 4H Horse-N-Around Club which is taught at Hunter Creek Stables in Fayette. If you are interested in being a part of the 4H horse program in Fayette contact Jill Dean at 205-270-8942.

Posted: 2010-10-12 13:22:00 | Last Updated: 2010-10-18 10:01:00

Women Initiate the Majority of Divorces

By WLDX

(HealthNewsDigest.com) - It all began with my horoscope on Thursday morning. This is what it said: “It's possible you could meet someone today, who will act as a kind of Pygmalion for you. You need to be surrounded and encouraged by people who believe in you, Mary Jo, and it is good for you to have one or several people around to support you. If you do meet this kind of person, don't be a show off, and listen to what he or she has to say to you. It is for your own good.”

I waited all day for my Pygmalion, but they never surfaced. For those of you who have forgotten your Greek mythology, Pygmalion was a talented sculptor who carved an ivory statue of a maiden and fell in love with it. The statue came to life in response to his prayer by Aphrodite. Bernard Shaw’s musical classic My Fair Lady plays on this theme. Professor Henry Higgins tutors Eliza Doolittle, who is rough around the edges, making bets that he can turn her into a fine lady. She becomes the finest of ladies, but keeps her edginess and, after telling Professor Higgins where he can go, he falls in love. Apparently, it was not her beauty after all but her ability to stand up to him and speak her mind even though he was of higher status.

Men and women have very different expectations when they fall in love. Men will like what they see, feel attraction and then decide if it becomes serious or not. If it becomes serious, the man usually tells the woman “I love you, don’t change.” In fact when I talk to men at this point, they will usually tell me, “I fear most that she will change.” Of course she will change. It is the one constant. Most women don’t talk about that though, because we know he is afraid of change. Women on the other hand, are a bit more under-handed with what they say or feel when they fall in love. Their love, although they rarely will admit this, has conditions. These conditions make me believe that men really do understand the concept of love more than women. The reason I say this with no regret is because neither I, nor any woman I know who is honest, has ever loved a man without thinking how she will help him change. Women aren’t trying to be mean by wanting to change their man. They actually do it believing it will help him. For example, “Come to my hair dresser, yours is a butcher.” We know he can look so much more attractive. Or, “Why don’t you get your teeth straightened? You will look so handsome.” Our guys go along with it, because they want us to desire them, and they want to please us. Soon we dress them, feed them, and then we complain, “Why don’t you do more around the house?” “You are like one of the kids.” “I have to take care of three kids instead of two.” Soon we are griping about our worthless husband who cannot survive without us. We never reflect that maybe we created this, “Beautiful Statue.” It is at this point that many women fall out of love with their husband. I hear things like, “He has no personality,” or, “He doesn’t want to do anything but watch TV.” Women have created something that looks good, but they no longer desire it because they lost touch with the real man inside.

How can you stop being a statue and be the man you were born to be?

1. Go back to your old barber and get the haircut you feel best in. Just remember to ask the barber to cut those nose and ear hairs. 2. Your wife may have better taste in professional clothes or color matching, but when you are not working, wear what you want. 3. Drive the truck or car you want, if you can afford it. 4. Wear what you want when you are working in the yard or mowing the lawn. 5. Its okay to go to Denny’s for breakfast. You don’t need to go to the club just because that is what people of your financial backing do. 6. Once in awhile it’s okay to tell your wife, “No,” and follow it up with, “I love you, but we are not the same person.”

Women initiate the majority of divorces. Many times women cite their reasons as, “We grew apart.” You can prevent this if you grow together by not losing yourself. Saying, “I DO,” means, “I am a separate person than you, but I have chosen you to share my life.” It does not mean, “I will do everything you want, look the way you want, or talk the way you want.” Don’t ever let anyone turn you into a beautiful statue; stone is cold and lifeless.

Ladies, let’s be clear on this. Men can create statues too. If you are ever with someone who suggests you would look better with a nose job, breast job, tummy tuck…run. This man is looking for a statue. Insecure men derive their self esteem from having someone beautiful on their arm. Let him sculpt someone else. –Mary Jo Rapini

Posted: 2010-10-11 09:22:00 | Last Updated: 2010-10-11 09:22:00

VA plans cottages for long-term care

By WLDX

Thirteen years ago, the Tuscaloosa Veterans Affairs Medical Center deeded 9.4 acres of land to the city of Tuscaloosa so that the McAbee Activity Center could be built.

Now, the VA needs some of that land back.

The Tuscaloosa VA plans to build 12 10,000-square-foot cottages designed specifically for veterans who need long-term nursing care. Each cottage will have 10 bedrooms, a living room and a kitchen. The cottages are part of a $9 million project that is slated for construction beginning in December. But to complete the project, the VA needed about 1.8 acres of the land the VA deeded to the city, said Damon Stevenson, spokesman for the Tuscaloosa VA.

Tuscaloosa has agreed to return the land, which is not being used by the Tuscaloosa County Parks and Recreation Authority. In return, the Tuscaloosa VA will exchange 1.8 acres of VA land in another location, Stevenson said.

“I am very thankful to the city of Tuscaloosa and PARA for their cooperation and support in helping us achieve our goal of building these cottages, which will radically change the way we provide long-term care to the veterans of Alabama and neighboring states,” said Alan Tyler, director of the Tuscaloosa VA.

The cottages will help veterans receive assistance and support with daily activities and clinical care, Tyler said. The center of the cottage community will be a recreation center that will include a library, a barbershop and a coffeehouse.

While many of the residents will likely be senior citizens, younger veterans who need long-term nursing care will also likely live there.

There are two large specific veteran populations the Tuscaloosa VA is preparing for: a growing number of senior veterans — almost 40 percent of all veterans 65 and older — and an increasing number of young veterans returning from Iraq and Afghanistan. Both groups have unique needs, said Daniel Conville, facility planner at the VA.

The older veterans need community living centers — what were once referred to as nursing homes. The current center for senior citizens is built like a traditional nursing home, with veterans often sharing a room. But the VA is expanding that center to make it more home-like and will build more rooms so veterans will have individual bedrooms that are centered on a shared living area.

It’s part of a new focus for the federal Veterans Affairs Administration — a patient-centered focus that requires new, more updated buildings with amenities, Conville said.

“Our goal is to create a community for long-term care,” Conville said.

The first cottage and recreation center should be complete by the end of 2012. The other cottages will be built in a few phases, Conville said.

(HealthNewsDigest.com) - Bullying is thought of as being an ordinary passage of growing up. We all remember being pelted with some sort of hurtful words. Some kids remember being beat up on the play ground. Although this wounded many children of generations past it wasn’t always taken seriously. When we hear the word bully we go back to that behavior. However, bullying has changed. It is more than words or getting teased up on the playground. It is inescapable harassment, physical assault, verbal abuse, and a constant barrage of cyber attacks that leave kids feeling defeated, fearful, and alone.

According to Maureen Hackett, who is a mental health child advocate, children and teens are at fragile stages in terms of their sense of identity and self esteem. Their relationship with peers is an integral part of how they see themselves, as well as their sense of worth, and this is one of the aspects that make bullying so dangerous. Hackett goes on to say that the young victims look to their parents and other adults in their life for validation, appreciation and protection. When parents, teachers, or other adults in the child’s life don’t take it seriously or help the child, they are hurt further and many times this intensifies the actual bullying the child is experiencing. There is no escape for the child. When previously children were able to escape to their homes, now there is an onslaught of cyber bullying so that the actual terrorizing is continuing in the child’s own room.

What can we do to help with this crisis that happens every day, everywhere, to many children? The first step may be getting involved with law. Encourage the state to recognize bullying as a form of abuse. The word “bullying” minimizes what our children are going through on an emotional level (and many times physical). They are being terrorized. Warning signs your child is being bullied:

* Comes home with torn, damaged, or missing pieces of clothing, books, or other belongings. * Unexplained cuts, bruises, and scratches. * They complain about not having friends. * They seem afraid of going to school, walking to and from school, riding the school bus, or taking part in organized activities with peers (such as clubs)

* No interest in school or their grades begin to struggle with school. * Weepy, sad, moody, or depressed when they come home from school. * Complains frequently of headaches, stomachaches, or other physical ailments * Experiences a loss of appetite or they may begin gaining weight. * Appears anxious and suffers from low self-esteem.

The best advice I can give parents regarding helping your child is the most important one. Take it seriously. Do not minimize it and write everything down.

More tips for parents if your child is being bullied:

1. You need a plan and you need to make an appointment with your child’s teacher. Share your plan with the teacher. Come up with a plan for school and home hours. 2. Talk to your child with a counselor. This will help reinforce your child’s sense of worth and many counselors have ideas of how to best intervene with other resources. Your child’s counselor visiting the school may also help support the teacher’s efforts. 3. Limit your child’s computer time and have them share threats they are getting with you. Make sure you have a copy of this, in case you need legal help. 4. If there is not an improvement within a week, it is time to take it to the principal (if the abuse is happening at school) or wherever where the attacks are happening.

Tips if you are the parent of a bully:

1. Your child needs counseling and a professional assessment with a psychiatrist (your whole family may be encouraged to attend). Bully behavior is learned and that suggests that there may be a “bully mentor” in your home. 2. Make a doctor’s appointment for your child. Sometimes children act out with impulsive and angry behaviors when there is something wrong with them physically. 3. Limit your child’s ability to text, use of the internet, and set firmer limits at home. 4. Violence with your child does not stop the behavior and may make their bully maneuvers more intense. Overprotecting your child and telling yourself that it is normal child behavior doesn’t work either. There is nothing normal about hurting another child who you believe is weaker than you. You need to act and you need to do it now.

*Behind every bully who is terrorizing another child, there is a parent who has ignored the bully’s behaviors or continued to mentor bully behavior to the child. Bullying does not go away. Most of us know one or two grown up bullies (you may even be related to them). Left alone bully behavior gets worse, therefore intervention on both parent’s behalf (the parents of the bully and the parents of the child being bullied) works best. –Mary Jo Rapini-

Posted: 2010-10-05 08:45:00 | Last Updated: 2010-10-05 08:45:00

Fayette County High School Bomb Threat A Hoax!!

By WLDX

A bomb threat called in to the Fayette Police Department was a hoax. Click here to hear Police Chief Danny Jenkins give WLDX an update.

Posted: 2010-10-04 16:48:00 | Last Updated: 2010-10-04 16:48:00

Alledged Bomb Threat At Fayette County High School!

By WLDX

A phone call from a cell phone to the Fayette Police Department resulted in the early release of students at the Fayette County High School today. The Fayette Police, Fire Department, and a City Ambulance blocked the road leading to the High School. Superintendant of Education Reba Anderson gave WLDX some information leading to the early dismissal of Fayette County High School Students. Click on Reba to hear her report. Stay tuned to WLDX and WLDX dot com for further updates.

Posted: 2010-10-04 13:21:00 | Last Updated: 2010-10-04 11:40:00

By WLDX

Posted: 2010-10-04 13:11:00 | Last Updated: 2010-10-04 11:37:00

Frog Level Frog Decorating Contest Winners!

By WLDX

Posted: 2010-10-01 14:22:00 | Last Updated: 2010-10-01 12:42:00

Walker Elementary evacuated due to gas leak

By WLDX

By Jamon Smith Staff Writer

SAMANTHA | Walker Elementary School's 690 students and about 50 teachers and administrators were evacuated at about 9:30 this morning because of a gas leak at the school.

John Merrill, spokesman for the Tuscaloosa County School System, said the gas leak occurred at 9:05 a.m. when a gas valve blew in the northwest corner of the school.

He said that a maintenance person who was working in the school at the time discovered the leak.

“It's not really a dangerous situation, but it is a situation that requires some attention,” Merrill said. “No one is injured and no one is ill, and that's the most important thing.”

Merrill said the leak occurred because of a gas explosion that took place somewhere off school property that caused pressure to build up in the pipes. The pressure then caused the valve to break.

The students at Walker were evacuated to Northside Middle School and Northside High School.

The roads surrounding Walker Elementary were blocked off because the area was being quarantined, but those roads are now open.

Merrill said Northside Middle and High students will be dismissed today at 12:30 p.m.

Students from grades K-2 from Walker will be dismissed from classes at Northside Middle. Students in grades 3-5 from Walker will be dismissed from Northside High School. Walker students will eat lunch at those locations.

courtesy of tuscaloosanews.com

Posted: 2010-09-28 11:41:00 | Last Updated: 2010-09-28 09:44:00

Should The Government Tell Us What To Eat?

By WLDX

(HealthNewsDigest.com) - I applaud Mrs. Obama’s challenge to restaurants to offer healthy menu options and her continued commitment to lower the risk for childhood obesity. But I have reservations when the medical health care reform bill mandates that restaurants post nutrition information and many states are considering a sin tax on soda and candy. Legislating what people put in their mouths is not the best approach. Mandating healthy choices could backfire because health advice evolves and changes.

Recommendations are far better than regulations and legislation. We recommended that people eat more fiber and whole grain foods. That’s wise. As the nutrition information evolved, first we suggested more fiber, then we suggested an emphasis on whole grain foods which contain fiber. So far in 2010 over 650 whole grain foods have been introduced. As consumers buy more whole grain foods, manufacturers produce more. As science evolves, nutrition, which interprets science into the foods you eat, offers advice based on the latest findings. We’ve gotten the message that whole grain foods are good for us and we eat more.

If we turn our recommendations into law, the advice becomes more static and will not change with the evolution of scientific evidence. Case in point, the nutrition facts panel that appears on every food label that is bigger than a Lifesaver package, is a law. The values used for the label are based on Recommended Dietary Allowances which have been replaced with updated Dietary Reference Intakes. The food label uses 60 milligrams of vitamin C as the adult daily requirement. Today, the adult daily vitamin C requirement is 90 milligrams. Why don’t they change the label you ask? Because it is a law and requires an act of Congress.

The labeling law was modified to include trans fat values in 2006. Most manufacturers were already removing trans fat from their products because of new scientific findings about its role in heart disease. So today, most trans fat values on labels are zero. Yet this value must be listed even though it provides little useful information to consumers. You might argue that food manufacturers removed trans fat from products because of the impending legislation. It’s possible. But, most manufacturers follow trends that move far quicker than legislation. These trends drive product development to meet consumer demands such as the current increase in whole grain foods and the reduction of sodium in brands. If consumers do not buy new products, food manufacturers do not make a profit, and the products quickly disappear from the shelf.

Many legislators have become convinced that candy, soda and sweet snacks are driving the obesity epidemic in this country. San Francisco’s mayor has banned the sale of sugar-sweetened drinks in city buildings. Boston is considering a similar ban. They believe if they tax these foods, less of them will be consumed. It is a valid hypothesis but there is little evidence to prove it is true. Food taxes are added at checkout. They are not displayed on the grocery shelf. Many argue that the shopper will not be aware of the taxes and therefore they may not affect consumption. If the tax goes through, and we find in the future that taxing these foods did not change obesity patterns, it is unlikely the taxes will be repealed.

But the issue gets even more complicated. If you are going to tax candy, the taxing authorities must define candy. What, exactly, is candy? The Streamlined Sales Tax Governing Board is trying to figure that out right now. They are a group that helps states enforce uniform sales taxes.

The board has defined candy as a preparation of sugar, honey or other natural or artificial sweeteners in combination with fruits, nuts, or other flavoring ingredients to form bars, drops or pieces. Candy cannot contain flour and does not require refrigeration. Under this definition, Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups and Three Musketeers are considered candy, but Kit Kat and Milky Way, because they contain flour, are exempt from the tax. Laws and regulations require specific definitions. If all that is needed is a little flour to help a basic candy recipe circumvent the new proposed taxes, you have to wonder how often that may happen if the candy law goes into effect.

One of the lesser known provisions of the health care reform act is the Menu Labeling Provisions Section 4205. This will require retail food chains with more than 20 locations nationwide to provide calorie information on menus or food displays as well as more detailed written nutrition information available upon request. Many chain restaurants have provided extensive nutrition information to consumers for more than 20 years. Today, it is posted on websites and often available in pamphlets in the stores. The law makes this voluntary information mandatory.

As with the problem defining candy, there are many exemptions to the menu labeling rule. Seasonal offerings and specials do not need to be nutrition labeled. If companies operate under different names, they are exempt. Restaurants with less than 19 locations are exempt. Local restaurants are exempt. You get the picture. Because of the need to define legislation precisely, it leads to built in loopholes and ways around the requirements, often making the intent of the legislation more complicated to enforce and eventually less effective.

Using taxes on foods and bans on ingredients is a complicated undertaking with many unknowns. Some earnestly believe that government intervention is the only way we will get people to make better food choices. Others do not. Is good health and healthy eating better served through recommendation or regulations? That question is yet to be answered.

Subscribe to our FREE Ezine and receive current Health News, be eligible for discounted products/services and coupons related to your Health. We publish 24/7. HealthNewsDigest.com

Posted: 2010-09-28 08:49:00 | Last Updated: 2010-09-28 08:49:00

Burn Restrictions Statewide

By NWNews

MONTGOMERY (NWNews.us) All 67 counties in the state of Alabama have been placed under a Fire Alert. The order was issued Thursday by State Forester Linda S. Casey. According to officials with the Alabama Forestry Commission (AFC), the Fire Alert was issued because of extremely dry weather conditions, the increased number of fires that have occurred recently, and reduced availability of suppression resources.

While under the Fire Alert, outdoor burning is restricted.

In the last 30 days, 459 wildfires have occurred in Alabama burning approximately 4,743 acres of land. In comparison, the AFC battled only six wildfires during the whole month of September 2009.

“The lack of rain and unseasonably high temperatures have left much of the state extremely dry, creating high risk potential for devastating wildfire,” said Dan Jackson, AFC Protection Division Director. “With no significant rainfall in more than a month, many Alabama counties are experiencing an increase in wildfire occurrence. Although the official start of fall ‘fire season’ in Alabama is not until October under normal conditions, the extremely dry weather this year has brought it on much sooner. Conditions are such that any fire can quickly spread out of control, not only resulting in damage to our forests but also threatening and destroying homes.”

The elevated number and size of wildfires is a major concern for the AFC which has recently faced cutbacks. Jackson stated, “Even though our staff and firefighting resources are reduced, the Alabama Forestry Commission is committed to protecting the state’s invaluable forest assets, as well as serving the citizens and landowners across the state. We need landowners to be aware of the wildfire risks, and we urge everyone to take all precautions to prevent the start of fires. The continued support of our volunteer fire departments is also crucial. This partnership is vitally important in helping us protect lives and property."

This Fire Alert will remain in effect until rescinded by the State Forester, at which time conditions will have changed sufficiently to reduce the occurrence and frequency of wildfires. For more information on the current wildfire situation in the state, visit the AFC website at www.forestry.alabama.gov/fire_totals.aspx.

Posted: 2010-09-24 22:07:00 | Last Updated: 2010-09-24 22:07:00

Similac Recalls Powdered Formula

By NWNews

MONTGOMERY (NWNews.us) The infant formula manufacturer, Abbott, has advised the Alabama Department of Public Health’s WIC Program of a proactive, voluntary recall of certain Similac brand powder infant formulas in the U.S., Puerto Rico, Guam and some countries in the Caribbean. The recall is for the powdered formula only. No Abbott liquid infant formulas are impacted.

Dr. Karen Landers, pediatrician with the Alabama Department of Public Health, stated, “The Alabama WIC Program has taken immediate steps to ensure that alternative formula products are being provided to WIC participants on the formulas affected by the recall.”

The local county health department clinics are providing information and guidance to WIC participants on how to obtain the alternative formula products. WIC participants or the general public may call the local county health department or the State WIC Office at 334-206-5673, or toll-free at 1-888-942-4673 for questions regarding the infant formula products being recalled.

According to a news release from Abbott and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Abbott is recalling certain powder infant formula products following an internal quality review, which detected the remote possibility of the presence of a small common beetle in the product produced in one production area in a single manufacturing facility.

The release further stated that the FDA has determined that while the formula containing these beetles poses no immediate health risk, there is a possibility that infants who consume formula containing the beetles or their larvae could experience symptoms of gastrointestinal discomfort and refuse to eat as a result of small insect parts irritating the intestinal tract. If these symptoms persist for more than a few days, consult a physician. Visit the U.S. FDA website http://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm226885.htm for further information.

Both the website and the consumer hotline have specific details on the recall and how the general public can return formula.

Posted: 2010-09-24 14:54:00 | Last Updated: 2010-09-24 14:54:00

U.S. Senator Jeff Sessions Honored as Guardian of Small Business by NFIB

By WLDX

WASHINGTON, D.C., Sept. 23, 2010 – The National Federation of Independent Business, the nation’s leading small business association, today named U.S. Senator Jeff Sessions a Guardian of Small Business for his outstanding voting record on behalf of America’s small business owners in the 111th Congress.

NFIB President and CEO Dan Danner praised Senator Sessions for “standing up for small business.”

In presenting the group’s coveted Guardian of Small Business award, Danner said:

“Small business owners pay close attention to how their lawmakers vote on the issues affecting their businesses. The Guardian award is a symbol of sincere appreciation from the small business community for votes that supported their ability to own, operate and grow their businesses.

“Small business owners are also known to show their gratitude or disappointment at the ballot box. This November, NFIB members will know that Senator Sessions’ voting record is one of a true small business champion.”

In all, NFIB will present Guardian awards to 43 senators who voted favorably on key small business issues at least 70 percent of the time during the 111th Congress.

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Jim DeMint (R-South Carolina), chairman of the Senate Steering Committee, was joined by 11 other Senators to introduce the REINS (Regulations from the Executive In Need of Scrutiny) Act. This legislation is intended to restore accountability to the process by which federal agencies finalize major regulations by requiring congressional approval for major regulatory actions. Cosponsors of the REINS Act include U.S. Senators Jeff Sessions (R-Alabama), Tom Coburn (R-Oklahoma), John Cornyn (R-Texas), John Ensign (R-Nevada), Mike Enzi (R-Wyoming), Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), Orrin Hatch (R-Utah), Jim Inhofe (R-Oklahoma), John Thune (R-South Dakota), David Vitter (R-Louisiana), and Roger Wicker (R-Mississippi). U.S. Congressman Geoff Davis (R-Kentucky) plans to offer companion legislation in the U.S. House.

"We must put a stop to the reckless and costly anti-free market regulations that are destroying jobs,” said Senator DeMint. “When the Obama Administration hasn’t been able to ram their anti-job polices through Congress, they’ve empowered unelected, unaccountable bureaucrats to force them through using regulations. From the ongoing attempts to control the environment and the Internet to the forthcoming barrage of regulations facing the health care and financial industry, it’s no wonder that consumer costs are rising and businesses are reluctant to invest and grow.”

The REINS Act would require that every new major rule proposed by federal agencies be approved via joint resolution passed by both bodies in Congress and signed by the President before they can take effect. A “major rule” is any rule that the administrator of the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs (OIRA) of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) finds may result in an annual effect on the economy of $100 million or more; a major increase in costs or prices for consumers; or significant adverse effects on the economy.

A recent report by the Small Business Administration’s Office of Advocacy stated: “The annual cost of federal regulations in the United States increased to more than $1.75 trillion in 2008. Had every U.S. household paid an equal share of the federal regulatory burden, each would have owed $15,586 in 2008.” According to research by The Heritage Foundation, the Code of Federal Regulations, a compendium of all existing federal rules, hit a record high of 163,333 pages in 2009, an increase of some 22,000 since the beginning of the decade.

One prime example of a major rule is the recent Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) final rule establishing a mandatory greenhouse gas emissions reporting program for sources with emissions that exceed 25,000 tons per year (74 Fed. Reg. 56,260). EPA estimates the cost of the rule at $115 million for the first year and $72 million on an annualized basis in subsequent years.

A recent Congressional Research Service report finds that “the [Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act] gives federal agencies substantial responsibility and authority to ‘fill in the details’ of the legislation through subsequent regulations.” There are at least 40 provisions in the health care overhaul that require, permit or contemplate federal rulemaking.

Senator Sessions said: “We’ve witnessed a dramatic expansion of the use of administrative rulemaking to set national policy on major issues. There is an appropriate role for administrative rules, but it is a dereliction of Congressional duty to allow the executive branch to fill in important details of legislation after it is passed, and it is an executive overreach to use the rulemaking process to circumvent the will of the people. This problem is exacerbated by the trend of appointing unelected czars that are not subject to Senate confirmation or the scrutiny of Congressional oversight. This legislation would implement important changes in the rulemaking process to limit the scope of rulemaking authority, and to ensure that Congress passes judgment on major rules that could affect our economy.”

Senator Ensign said: “This Administration has seen fit to govern through burdensome regulations with little accountability to the American people. These job-killing regulations are nothing more than hidden taxes that threaten our already shaky economic situation even more. Our legislation will make the President and his agencies accountable to the people of this country by requiring Congressional approval of major regulations and will ensure that this heavy-handed rule over the American people is effectively reined in. Innovation in this country faces a very real threat unless Congress acts to stop this.”

Senator Enzi: “Some people in my state live in fear of what the EPA, Forest Service, BLM or other agencies will do next that could harm their recreation or their business. It shouldn’t be that way. We need to put accountability back in the system. Non-elected bureaucrats should never have the kind of power some of these agencies have in the rule making process.”

Senator Risch said: “Unfortunately, this administration has blatantly abused the rule-making process and sidestepped congressional oversight in order to implement policies a majority of Americans oppose. This legislation reins in runaway executive authority by requiring all substantial rules to pass through Congress before they can be implemented.”

Senator Thune said: “The Obama Administration continues to circumvent Congress by crafting major federal regulations behind closed doors that are crushing America’s small businesses and job creators. We must restore the transparency and accountability that has been lost under this Administration. The REINS Act would put a stop to run-away power by ensuring that major regulations and rules proposed by the executive branch would have to be approved by Congress before taking effect.”

Congressman Davis said: “I would like to thank Senator DeMint for taking a leadership role in the Senate on this important issue. The REINS Act is an immediate step we could take to improve the checks and balances of our government. It will provide greater transparency and accountability to the American people for the regulations that will affect their daily lives.”

CHICAGO – The nation's new health care law turns 6 months old Thursday and starts delivering protections and dollars-and-cents benefits that Americans can grasp. But it won't affect all consumers the same way, which may cause confusion.

Q: Will everyone's health insurance change on Thursday?

A: No. It depends on when your health insurance plan year starts. Many of the new requirements begin with plan years starting on or after Sept. 23. But if your plan year starts Jan. 1, as many do, that's when the changes start.

"Grandfathered" plans, those that existed before the law was enacted March 23 and which remain essentially unchanged, must meet only some of the requirements. New plans and those with significant changes in benefits or out-of-pocket costs must comply with even more changes in the law.

A: If you get insurance through work, ask your employer about any changes. If you buy insurance yourself, call your insurance company.

Q: What are some of the new benefits?

A: Free preventive care, for one. Some people will no longer have to pay copays, coinsurance or meet their deductibles for preventive care that's backed up by the best scientific evidence. That includes flu vaccines, mammograms and even diet counseling for adults at-risk of chronic disease.

Q: Are there exceptions?

A: Free preventive care isn't required of existing health plans that haven't changed significantly, those "grandfathered" plans we mentioned earlier. New plans, and those that change substantially on or after Sept. 23, must provide this benefit.

Q: What other changes start Sept. 23?

A: If you go to an emergency room outside your plan's network, you won't get charged extra. Patients will be able to designate a pediatrician or an ob-gyn as their primary care doctor, avoiding the need for referrals that are required by some plans.

A: Millions of Americans have insurance that sets a cap on what their insurance will pay to cover their medical costs over a lifetime. The caps have left very sick patients with medical bills topping $1 million or $2 million high and dry. These lifetime limits will be eliminated for plans issued or renewed on or after Sept. 23.

Those who have maxed out because of the caps but remain eligible for coverage must be reinstated on the first day of the plan year that begins on or after Sept. 23.

Q: What about annual limits?

A: Plans issued or renewed on or after Sept. 23 can't have annual limits lower than $750,000. Annual limits will be eliminated entirely by 2014.

Q: Are there exceptions?

A: Employers and insurance companies can apply for waivers for so-called "mini-med" plans that offer limited benefits. The intent of the waivers is to allow these low-cost plans to exist so that people don't lose their health coverage when premiums go up.

Q: Any changes that affect parents?

A: Insurers can no longer deny coverage to children with pre-existing conditions. Also, parents can keep their adult children on their health plans until age 26.

Q: Is it true that some insurers will no longer sell child-only policies in some states?

A: Companies in some states have said the new requirement to insure children with pre-existing conditions will lead to unpredictable costs. Their decision to stop selling such policies won't affect existing plans. Most children are covered under family insurance plans. The trade group America's Health Insurance Plans estimates about 8 percent of all plans sold on the individual market that cover one person are for people under age 18.

Q: Are there other consumer protections?

A: The law bars insurers from canceling policies retroactively when a person gets very sick and runs up high bills. Insurers still will be able to rescind policies in cases of fraud and intentional misrepresentation. But they can't cut you off when you need coverage most for a capricious reason.

Q: Why Sept. 23?

A: That's six months after President Barack Obama signed the law. Many provisions were scheduled to start six months after enactment.

A: The Obama administration says the new benefits will raise premiums by no more than 1 to 2 percent. Benefit consulting companies say the impact will be in the single digits, but may vary from plan to plan.

(HealthNewsDigest.com) - Inevitably, things change: you notice a little chunk at the waist that's affecting the way your clothing fits; you feel a bit stiffer in the mornings; you look for escalators instead of a taking the stairs; your reflection in a window reveals you're not as straight as you thought. We've all had moments when we realize we could be doing better.

Are you too old for your age? Without regular exercise, your body ages faster than necessary. What makes us old are the physical limitations that restrict our capacity for life. Each of us wants to be able to maintain all of our everyday activities without undue fatigue and with energy to spare. Your ability to handle the physical demands of your daily life reflects your body age (otherwise known as your functional age). Although genetics plays a role in retaining a youthful body, the single most important lifestyle factor is your engagement in a well rounded exercise program.

The three aspects of physical fitness that can affect the aging process and preserve a youthful body are: Cardiovascular stamina – Your vitality and capacity for life depend on the efficiency of your cardiovascular system. The heart is a muscle that gets stronger with training, improving your ability to function day-to-day. The more you can do, the "younger" you are. Muscular strength and endurance - Strength training sculpts the contours of your body and strengthens the bones within. By building lean body mass, it boosts your metabolism and your energy levels, making you resistant to the slow down that occurs with age. Muscle strength makes you more resilient to injury and less likely to suffer from poor posture and back pain. Flexibility - Stretching discharges tension from the muscles, energizing the body. It defends against aging by lengthening the muscles to keep you tall and straight. Being flexible makes you agile, your movements fluid and youthful.

A balanced exercise program consists of a minimum of: 30 minutes, five days a week of moderate level cardio activity ("some beads of sweat") Two full-body strength training sessions per week Daily stretching, especially after every workout

Your body age represents a quality of life. If you follow the program consistently for eight weeks, you can expect to: Firm up by developing lean muscles Lose 1-2 pounds of fat and gain 1 pound of muscle Increase stamina, the amount and intensity of cardio work you can sustain. Decrease feelings of stiffness; improve posture and joint health

Turn back your body clock! The degree to which you can revitalize your body depends in part on your starting level of fitness. If your starting level is low, you stand to make the greatest initial improvements when you begin your exercise program. Those whose starting level is above average can also improve their fitness profile and "get younger". The more time you commit to your program, the more dramatic you can expect your results to be.

Joan Pagano is a widely published author and expert on the benefits of exercise for women's health issues such as pregnancy, breast cancer, menopause and osteoporosis as well as strength training through the decades. For more about Joan and her services, please visit Joan Pagano Fitness

Posted: 2010-09-20 06:30:00 | Last Updated: 2010-09-20 06:30:00

Tucker and Tigers Go For The Record

By WLDX

With a win tonight against Haleyville, Coach Waldon Tucker will become the winnest coach in the history of Alabama High School football.

Last weeks win against Tarrant tied Tucker with Glenn Daniel at 302. Coach Tucker has coached for 37 years, 27 of those years have been at Fayette County.

Tonight's game will be a John Morgan Brown Stadium at 7:00pm. WLDX would like to invite everyone to attend for this historical night. If you can not make the game you can hear it right here on WLDX am990 or on wldx.com. Be sure and listen in at half time as we will have Dr. Robert Bentley, canidate for governer, join us.

Posted: 2010-09-17 10:33:00 | Last Updated: 2010-09-17 10:33:00

Gubernatorial Candidate, Dr. Robert Bentley Visits Fayette!

By WLDX

Gubernatorial candidate, Dr. Robert Bently Visited Fayette Thursday, September 16th for a meet and greet at the Fayette Civic Center. Many Fayette Countians where on hand to meet him. Listen to his speech by clicking Bentley. For some who does not know Dr. Bentley well here's a brief history.

Dr. Robert J. Bentley is running for Governor to grow the economy and create jobs without increasing taxes or spending. He believes there needs to be more transparency and accountability in Alabama's government. He is a pro-life, pro-marriage, and pro-second amendment conservative who believes in smaller and more limited government. Bentley is the only Republican candidate for Governor of Alabama who completed an undergraduate degree at the University of Alabama.

He will not accept the Governor's annual salary until Alabama reaches full employment.

Robert is an active member of First Baptist Church (FBC) Tuscaloosa where he serves as a Deacon and Sunday School Teacher. At FBC Tuscaloosa he has been the Chairman of the Board of Deacons four times and a member of the Youth for Christ Advisory Board, as well as the Family Counseling Advisory Board. Dr. Bentley has also served on the State Advisory Board for Sexually Transmitted Diseases. Currently, he serves on the Board of Trustees for Judson College in Marion, Alabama and is a member of the Board of Trustees of the Alabama Medical Education Consortium which he helped found.

.

Posted: 2010-09-16 13:39:00 | Last Updated: 2010-09-16 13:06:00

An Arrest to the Murder of Patricia Adair has been made.

By WLDX

On September 13, 2010, Chief Danny Jenkins of the Fayette Police Department announced that an arrest has been made in connection with the August 15, 2010, murder of Fayette resident Patricia Adair. Kenneth Ray Fluker, a.k.a. “Rudy” Fluker, DOB 12/28/1971, was charged today with two counts of Capital Murder in connection with the death.

Fluker is a resident of the City of Fayette, whose last known address is 448 3rd Street N.W. Fayette, Alabama. The first charge alleges that he committed the murder while in the commission of robbery, and the second charge alleges that he committed the murder while in the commission of rape, both of which elevate the crime to Capital Murder. If convicted, Fluker could face the death penalty.

Jenkins released the following statement in connection with the arrest: “I want to thank all the agencies that collaborated in investigating this case, including the District Attorney’s Criminal Investigations Division, the 24th Judicial Circuit’s Drug and Violent Crimes Task Force, and the Fayette County Sheriff’s Department. The investigative team worked diligently to resolve this case. I know this arrest brings a sense of relief to our community.”

Fluker remains in the Fayette County Jail with no bond. He will be carried before Fayette County District Judge Jerry Clary for an Initial Appearance at some point later in the week.

Posted: 2010-09-13 16:51:00 | Last Updated: 2010-09-13 17:05:00

Money Matters and Marital Strife

By WLDX

(HealthNewsDigest.com) - Marriage research has listed finances as one of the top three reasons couples get into trouble. Couples who begin to struggle with money issues are having problems at a deeper level than the cost of items. Money is symbolic in our culture, and it symbolizes values, goals, and what each person prioritizes. Therefore, attacks regarding money become attacks of basic values, which have a tendency to insult the spouse’s family as well as the spouse. Happy couples argue about money too, but money problems with unhappy couples lead to heated disputes. In a book titled For Better: the Science of a Good Marriage a simple quiz helps you understand how you compare to other couples. Respond yes or no giving careful thought to the question. The answers you get will give you something to talk about with your spouse on date nights.

1. We agree on how to spend money. 2. I have no concerns about how my partner handles money. 3. We are satisfied with our decision about saving. 4. Major debts are not a problem. 5. Making financial decisions is not difficult.

It may interest you that happy couples agree on at least four of the statements. According to Tara Parker-Pope, the author of the book, if couples disagree with three or more of the statements, they are more likely to score low on marital happiness tests.

On a National survey, happy couples who took the above test scored like this:

* 89% agreed on how to spend money. * 80% said they had not concerns about how their partner handles money. * 73% were satisfied with their decision about saving. * 76% said major debts were not a problem. * 80% said making financial decisions were not difficult.

Whereas, unhappy couples looked like this:

* 59% did not agree on how to spend money. * 68% were concerned about how their partner handles money. * 71% were not satisfied with savings decisions. * 65% said major debts were a problem. * 68% said making financial decisions was difficult.

How we manage our money is an aspect of marriage we can all work on and be successful. As you take the quiz, make sure you take the time to talk to your partner. Try not to lecture them, but rather discuss the areas you both feel could benefit from changes.

Below are a few suggestions to help you get started:

1. Stop thinking about his and her money. It belongs to your marriage. 2. Know how much each of you makes. 3. Have a joint checking account. If that is too scary make it a “marriage account.” 4. Have a goal to save for. Decide on a percentage to donate to this account each week. 5. Talk about money when you are engaged in fun things together. It is not a good time to talk about money when you are crunching numbers to make ends meet. 6. Each person should make a pact to give up something they like, or a luxury item, so that the goal can be reached. A Starbucks habit can cost as much as $40.00 per week. 7. Agree on a specific amount of money that can be spent before you report it to your spouse. That may be $25.00 for some couples or a $1,000.00 for others. The amounts are not as important as the agreeing and the follow through. 8. Don’t attack your partner’s family for the way they spent money. Your partner is their own person, and they will only feel criticized and defensive should you use this tactic. 9. Do a little soul searching. Sometimes when a husband or wife feels neglected by their partner, they spend money. Talking will help you understand why your partner is out of control with spending. You can give more attention and focus and save money at the same time. 10. Money is taught to most of us by watching our parents. If your spouse learned money management from parents who were irresponsible with money, talking to your partner and taking more of a “team approach” works better than threatening them.

Taking steps now can prevent your marriage from struggling with money. So many conflicts can cause distress within a marriage; money does not have to be one of them. –Mary Jo Rapini

(HealthNewsDigest.com) - Men suffer with their body image much the same as a woman does. There is a media type of perfection that men are influenced by that includes thin, tall, dark men. Most men don’t put the same pressure on themselves to reach that perfection or fit in, but men who have “moobs” don’t feel masculine or desired by women. Gynecomastia is breast development in males. It can happen at any age, but it is usually due to weight gain with adult males. Fat is deposited over the pectoral muscles, and this can make men appear to have breasts or moobs. There are diseases that can cause this development, so it is important that you go to your doctor if you have pain or other symptoms. With obesity being so common it is becoming more and more likely you know someone with moobs.

The clothing industry has realized they can make money from peoples’ insecurities. They now have shirts made of spandex for men to hold their moobs in. They also have a mature cut with shirts for men with moobs. Clothing industries have always had these clothing sensitivities for women. However, with a high divorce rate and more middle aged men dating, they are becoming more aware that guys, too, suffer with body image. What woman doesn’t have a pair of spandex, or transparent line panties, or bras that promote cleavage? Why should it be any different for men? No matter how technical the clothing industry becomes with holding us in or pushing us out, if you are in an intimate relationship someone eventually has to see your body. Any part of your body that gravity can affect, it will. The latest statistics project that by the year 2015 75% of Americans will be overweight. Can you imagine the moobs and sagging we will see in both men and women?

Here are some tips you can begin today if you feel badly about your weight or if you are growing “moobs” due to obesity:

1. Go to your primary care doctor. This is important because weight gain can be caused by many things. Although weight gain is the primary reason for moobs in adult men, it could be something else. 2. Get engaged in an exercise and nutritional program. Your local Y may be a good place to start. Some physicians have nutritionists on their staff; changing how and why you eat is a great place to begin. 3. Buy clothing to disguise your moobs and stomach. Women have been buying support clothing for a long time. Guys may feel less masculine when purchasing a t-shirt made of spandex, but if you are on the dating scene or just feel bad about your body, a clothing article can help you feel more confident. 4. When you are with your spouse, make it more about the time together than going to a new restaurant. Maybe instead of a full course dinner you could try appetizers. You will save money, and the time you may have spent eating can be spent going for a walk or talking with your spouse. 5. If you aren’t married, engaged or in the dating scene, remember the first thing that impresses people is your appearance. If you lack confidence regarding your body, walk around slumped over, or try to hold back, your first impression will not be favorable. It is much better to stand up straight, look your date in the eyes, and be transparent. Tell her/him you are working on a healthy life style and portray to that person that you are determined to make changes. Women want a “take charge” guy. Taking charge of yourself and being healthy is a turn on. Women would most likely overlook your moobs.

Being judged is never fair, especially when that judgment is primarily made up of visual cues. How a person feels about their flaws may accentuate the flaws. Try to begin a life style that will eliminate the flaw and derive confidence from your ability to follow through. Confidence is visual, also; most of us have been drawn to people who weren’t especially attractive, but their confidence made us want to be with them. –Mary Jo Rapini

Fayette is officially wet with deliveries arriving at L & R Chevron of Fayette at 1:19 p.m. September 7th 2010.

Posted: 2010-09-07 14:37:00 | Last Updated: 2010-09-07 14:37:00

Organic Coffee – Worth A Look

By WLDX

(HealthNewsDigest.com) - Organic coffee seems to be recession proof. The North American organic coffee market topped $1.4 billion in 2009, growing over 5% since 2008. More than 93 million pounds of organic coffee were imported into the US and Canada last year. And, demand is growing. Why?

Organic coffee is a good example of food vetting or food sourcing – people want to know where their food comes from so they can follow it from source to purchase to the dinner table. Consumers are demanding to know how their food was grown and harvested, is it environmentally friendly, how are the farmers and land affected by the crop, and whether the food is truly good for us. Many are willing to pay more for this assurance.

Organic coffee equals quality coffee. It is grown using production systems that replenish and maintain soil fertility and avoids the use of pesticides and fertilizers. Third-party certification organizations verify that organic coffee farmers use methods and materials allowed in organic production.

Organic coffee brands often carry numerous certification seals. Both the USDA Organic seal and the Quality Assurance International Certified Organic seal assure consumers that the beans are grown using approved organic farming methods. The Rainforest Alliance certification, which sports a frog logo, ensures that coffee beans are grown following guidelines that protect the environment, wildlife, workers and local communities.

Bird Friendly certification, created by the Smithsonian Migratory Bird Center, is the strictest of all the third-party environmental standards. Coffee growers must first meet organic standards and then ensure that they are maintaining forest cover that provides a habitat for birds and other wildlife. Biologists have found that a shade coffee plantation can offer the same environment for wildlife as an untouched forest. Many organic coffees are shade grown.

The first Fairtrade certified food products were coffee and tea. Though this certification has some critics the movement attempts to provide market access to small, marginalized producers, connecting them to consumers with fewer middlemen who reduce their profits. It aims to help farmers and workers make a living wage and provides opportunities to improve skills and farming techniques. Almost a half million farmers around the world have grown coffee under Fairtrade certifications.

Americans consume one-fifth of the world’s coffee, making the US the largest consumer in the world. The type of coffee we buy impacts global markets. If Americans are interested in organic, fair trade coffee more will be produced.

Many of the organic coffee brands available are excellent with varieties that range from mild to robust. Brands you might consider exploring, all of which are organic and bird-friendly, include:

BeanTrees, based in Sacramento, has been producing quality organic coffees since 1993. Beantrees.com

Caffe Ibis has been roasting artisan coffee since 1976. This roasting process is done in small batches and is time consuming but it produces superior tasting coffee. Caffeibis.com

Tucker is now only one win away from tieing the all time record among high school coaches in the state of Alabma. It was the first region game for the Tigers. They are now 2-0 on the season.

The Tigers will be back home next Friday to face Tarrant at John Morgan Brown stadium.

Posted: 2010-09-03 07:50:00 | Last Updated: 2010-09-03 07:50:00

How Nutritious And Natural Is Your Protein Bar?

By WLDX

(HealthNewsDigest.com) - Widely available at gyms, health clubs, convenience stores, and even at the checkout lines of some electronics and stationery retailers, these products are variously referred to as nutrition bars, energy bars, or protein bars. Sure, they sound healthy, but are they?

Dawn Jackson, RD, spokeswoman for the American Dietetic Association, admits that the bars are convenient, especially when you're physically active. "You wouldn't put a turkey sandwich in your pocket when you go on a bike ride, but you could easily bring one of these bars with you." However, she cautions, "some of the bars have as much sugar and as much saturated fat as a candy bar. So use them in moderation."

Certainly, you should read the labels. Although a few years ago, that was not always helpful. In 2001, ConsumerLab.com ran tests on 30 nutrition bars, and 18 of them gave results that differed—in some cases significantly—from the label claims. The most frequent misrepresentation was the under-reporting of carbohydrate levels. In one case, a bar labeled at 2 grams of carbs clocked in at 22 grams.

In its most recent testing, ConsumerLab.com reports that the labels are much more accurate, but still warns that...

In some bars, most of the fat present is saturated fat

A "whole food" bar contained more calories per gram than most other bars

The top ingredient in some bars is one of the sugar alcohols

As to sugar alcohols, they are a hydrogenated form of carbohydrate commonly used as sweeteners and bulking agents. Food products labeled "sugar-free," including hard candies, cookies, chewing gums, soft drinks, and throat lozenges often consist of sugar alcohols.

Sugar alcohols are less caloric than sugar (1.5 - 3 calories per gram vs. sugar at 4 calories per gram), and they do not cause tooth decay. On the other hand, since they are not absorbed in the small intestine, bloating, flatulence, and diarrhea can occur.

Does your protein bar carry a disclaimer that says "may cause gastrointestinal discomfort?" We hope not. Using sugar alcohols in protein bars also lets a company make a cheaper product, allows them to list lower carbs or lower sugar and then they add maltitol syrup and hydrolyzed collagen...yummy!

There is some good news regarding sugar alcohols...does not promote tooth decay! Here is our tip on tooth decay: Brush your teeth at least twice a day. Problem solved.

The people behind Lenny & Larry's are Barry Turner and Don Croutch (http://www.lennylarry.com). Barry was Cyclone on the hit TV series "American Gladiators," and is a fitness enthusiast and bodybuilder. Don is a noted entrepreneur and is also a fitness buff. They are passionate about what they do, and as you can see, are not afraid to tell it like it is regarding supposed health foods. One of Lenny & Larry's products is a Muscle Brownie, identified by many of its customers as a protein bar.

Barry and Don tell their customers that high-quality snacks of this type can be helpful when blood sugar is dropping, as a pre-workout energy boost, or when other food choices are less healthy. They are also convenient as an easy to digest fuel during long endurance training sessions.

Health writer Elizabeth Walling adds a few more tips on protein bars:

Sweeteners should never be the first ingredients listed on the label.

Whey protein is generally preferred over soy protein.

High fiber is preferred for general health reasons, and because it promotes a feeling of fullness.

Look for bars with at least 10 grams of protein.

Good taste is important, and is often overlooked by consumers.

Walling also reminds us that "Protein bars are not meant to replace a balanced diet and exercise, but should be incorporated with healthy habits so you can reap the benefits of living a healthy, balanced lifestyle."

Finally, as one smart-alecky fitness writer puts it, "Finding the right protein bar might be an exercise, but it's well worth the trouble. And, read those labels!"

Posted: 2010-09-03 06:51:00 | Last Updated: 2010-09-03 06:51:00

Bolling Apothecary 50th Anniversary!

By WLDX

Bolling Apothecary showed their appreciation to their customers with gift certificates and free t'shirts during their 50th Anniversary Monday, August 30th.Enjoying the fun and Getting a Free T-shirt Bessie Bowles/Bonnie Williams/Jack Williams

George Bolling reminiscing with customers

Rick Bolling serving the 100's of people who came out to enjoy the special 50th Anniversary celebration.

Posted: 2010-08-31 06:19:00 | Last Updated: 2010-08-31 07:17:00

Great Pictures from Friday Night Football!

By WLDX

These great photos are courtesy of Tommy Williams during Friday nights game against Sipsey Valley.

There are a lot of stories surrounding tonight's game as the Fayette Tigers meet the Sipsey Valley Bears, none bigger than Coach Waldon Tucker facing his son, Lance Tucker, on the other side of the field. Coach Waldon Tucker comes in to the game with 299 wins in his coaching career. That puts him in second place among all-time wins as a head coach in the state of Alabama. The leader is Glenn Daniel with 302 lifetime wins. Tucker already leads the active coaches by 30 wins. If the Tigers win tonight that will give Tucker 300 wins and he will be the second coach in Alabama football history to obtain over 300.

Lance Tucker, on the other hand, comes in to the game as his first as a head coach at a school that will be competing in it's first football game. During the Summer, Lance took the job at Sipsey Valley, a new Tuscaloosa County School in the Coker area. Lance has coached as an assistant with his dad for the last 10 years.

I wonder who Sue is rooting for?

Posted: 2010-08-27 11:42:00 | Last Updated: 2010-08-27 10:22:00

Senator Jeff Sessions Visits the City of Fayette!

By WLDX

Senator Jeff Sessions Visited the City of Fayette on Wednesday, August 25th at Charles Cafeteria & Grill to discuss issues of national interest now under consideration in Washington, including the looming budget crisis. General manager Jill Dean was there and recorded the event. Click below to hear Sessions!

WASHINGTON, DC – On Wednesday, June 9, 2010, Congressman Robert Aderholt (R-Haleyville) met with the Lawrence family from Fayette. After meeting with Congressman Aderholt, they joined him for a photograph. Pictured here are: (From Left to Right) Jerry Lawrence, Julia Lawrence, Congressman Aderholt, Marc Lawrence, Jerry Lawrence Jr., Bridget Lawrence

Posted: 2010-08-24 06:11:00 | Last Updated: 2010-08-24 06:11:00

Sessions to Attend Community Breakfast in Fayette.

By WLDX

WASHINGTON—U.S. Senator Jeff Sessions (R-AL) will attend a breakfast with Fayette residents and community leaders at Charles’ Cafeteria and Grill on Wednesday, August 25 at 8:00 a.m. CT. The breakfast is an opportunity for local residents to meet Sessions in a relaxed setting and to discuss issues of national interest now under consideration in Washington, including the looming budget crisis.

Posted: 2010-08-23 05:59:00 | Last Updated: 2010-08-23 05:59:00

Fayette Unemployment Drops to 15-Month Low

By Glenn CollinsNWNews.us

MONTGOMERY (NWN) -- The unemployment rate in Fayette County overcame June's rise and fell to 11.9% in July, the lowest it has been since April of last year. The statewide rate fell again, to 9.7%, the lowest since April, 2009.

Alabama Department of Industrial Relations Director Tom Surtees said, "We are happy to announce a drop in our unemployment rate." He added "This is the lowest rate we have seen in over a year. We’ve seen our rate stabilizing over the past several months, and, hopefully, July’s rate will be the beginning of a continual drop in Alabama’s unemployment."

The counties with the lowest unemployment rates were: Shelby at 6.8%, Madison at 7.3%, and Coffee at 7.4%. The counties with the highest unemployment rate were Wilcox at 21.9%, Greene at 19.0% and Dallas at 18.3%.

Posted: 2010-08-20 10:58:00 | Last Updated: 2010-08-20 10:58:00

A Partnership To Serve Fayette County

By WLDX

Community Service Program of West Alabama, Inc. and the West Alabama Food Bank have formed a partnership in order to better serve those of Fayette County. On August 25th, the Central Church of Christ in Fayette will host a Mobile Food Pantry beginning at 9 a.m. During this time ONLY registered participates will be given boxed frozen and non-perishable food items. Someone will be at the Fayette County Community Service Programs Office Friday, August 20th to register those interested in participating between the hours of 10 a.m. till 1 p.m. This is an excellent way to ser4ve the residents of Fayette and they really look forward to registering as many as possible so please go to the Fayette County Office of Community Service Programs Friday, August 20th to register for this wonderful event.

Posted: 2010-08-19 08:52:00 | Last Updated: 2010-08-19 07:38:00

L&R Chevron of Fayette is having a Donation Drive!

By WLDX

The L&R Chevron Foodmart is having a donation drive to assist the family of Patricia Adair toward funeral and flower expenses. If you would like to make a donation, stop by L&R of Fayette and look for the donation cup anytime from 3:30 a.m. to midnight. Stay tuned to WLDX and WLDX.com for more information regarding this tragic event.

Posted: 2010-08-17 10:32:00 | Last Updated: 2010-08-17 17:03:00

Fayette Police Chief Danny Jenkins Comments On Possible Murder

By WLDX

Jill Dean of WLDX spoke with Fayette Police Chief Danny Jenkins about the possible murder of Patricia Adair, 55, of Fayette. Click on the link below to hear the interview.

Sunday, August 15th at approximately 2:30 p.m. Patricia Adair, age 55, of Fayette was found dead in a ditch near the Fayette Housing Authority. Sources have told WLDX.COM that it was a possible rape/homicide. No possible suspects have been named. Stay tuned to WLDX and WLDX.COM for more information.

Posted: 2010-08-15 15:43:00 | Last Updated: 2010-08-16 21:02:00

Motorcycle Accident Claims Life of Winfield Man

By Glenn CollinsNWNews.us

HALEYVILLE (NWN) -- Jeff Lynn Norris, 54, of Winfield, owner of Norris Music since 1978, and pastor of New Life Fellowship Church in Winfield, died late Tuesday night at Lakeland Community Hospital in Haleyville from injuries sustained in a motorcycle accident on Franklin County Road 69, just north of Haleyville.

Winfield Mayor Wayne Silas said "This is a tragic loss for Winfield; we've lost a great guy; Jeff’s heart was for the down and out, he helped hundreds of people.” Norris used his own money to help people and families in the area for many years. Silas said, “Most of all, he was a servant.”

Miles Funeral Home in Winfield is handling the arrangements. Alabama State Troopers are investigating the accident.

Posted: 2010-08-11 15:26:00 | Last Updated: 2010-08-12 07:15:00

The Community Shows Their Appreciation To A Well Known DJ!

By WLDX

Anthony "Big A" Wilson is a radio announcer that has the love and respect of his community. He has been spinning records since the opening of the radio station (WLDX) in 1949. And to show their appreciation the community and assorted churches will hold an Appreciation Program for our favorite DJ at the Fayette Civic Center. The program will be held Sunday, September 5th at 5 p.m. Everyone is invited to attend this very special night.

Posted: 2010-08-10 13:41:00 | Last Updated: 2010-08-11 04:19:00

Exercise Can Help In Preventing Osteoporosis!

By WLDX

Current research on osteoporosis is focused on how exercise can help prevent and treat this condition. Osteoporosis – which literally means "porous bones" – is a bone-thinning disease caused by a loss of mineral (primarily calcium) that weakens the bone structure. The bone becomes vulnerable to fracture.

Resistance is the key factor in both types of exercise that build bone: weight-bearing aerobic exercise and weight lifting. In weight-bearing exercise, your muscles resist the force of gravity to keep you in an upright position. In weight lifting, you apply resistance to the muscle to stimulate growth (hypertrophy) of the muscle fibers. In both cases, the pull of the muscle on the bone causes a parallel hypertrophy to the bone. Exercise has a dramatic effect on the growing skeleton, which is why it is essential for children to be physically active. Once the skeleton stops growing, the effect of exercise on the bone is more modest. If you do not develop adequate bone-mineral density at an early age, your risk of osteoporosis increases in the postmenopausal years. However, some bone lost through inactivity may be restored and major bone losses can be prevented before ages 30 to 35.

From ages 18-35, the goal is to achieve the highest peak bone mass. Exercise should maximize the load to the bones with a progressive (i.e. gradual intensification) program of:High impact exercise, defined as activities in which both feet are off the ground at the same time, as in running, jumping rope, and high-impact aerobic dance; also sports like basketball, volleyball and gymnastics.High intensity weight lifting, using the heaviest weights you can lift in good form. Aim for 8-12 repetitions with the last few reps being challenging. Do 1-3 sets of each exercise.

From ages 35-50, the goal is to maintain bone mass, offset or reduce bone loss, and improve your coordination and balance.Follow the guidelines above, using common sense. To protect your joints from injury, use good judgment regarding high-impact exercise and high-intensity weight training.Focus on strengthening the bony sites most vulnerable to fracture: the thighbone, the spine and the wrist.Add balance training, such as stork stance and "tight rope" walk. To improve your stability, incorporate exercises using the stability ball, BOSU and foam rollers.

From 50-plus and post-menopausal, the goal is to conserve bone and reduce the risk of falls and fractures. Continue with strength training, balance and stability exercises.If you are doing a walking program, be sure to vary your route to include hills and steps, adding intervals of increased speed or jogging, if appropriate.Focus on stretching exercises to maintain your height and spinal alignment. Changes in posture become more pronounced at this age and can cause a shift in your center of gravity, increasing your risk of falling.

If you have been diagnosed with osteoporosis, check with your health care professional for exercise guidelines and restrictions. Courtesy of HealthNewsDigest.com

Posted: 2010-08-09 10:27:00 | Last Updated: 2010-08-09 09:15:00

It's No BULL!!

By WLDX

Well it’s NO BULL! Two brothers from Fayette, Alabama are proof it’s “No Bull” to be successful at the sport that you love if you work hard, stay dedicated and follow your dreams. Cory and Colby Driver both enjoy working hard at their sport, even though on opposite ends of the spectrum. Cory enjoys riding 2000 pound bulls, and Colby enjoys hitting a baseball that comes at you at speeds of over 90 MPH! Cory (age 19) and Colby (age 17) have worked hard for many years at their respective sports.

Cory is Fayette’s very own cowboy; he is a graduate of Fayette County High School and will be attending Tulsa Welding School in Jacksonville, Florida starting this fall. Cory has been riding bulls for 4-years, and has participated in many bull rides at the bull riding events and rodeos held throughout the year at our very own Multi-Purpose Complex in Fayette. Cory’s still working toward every bull riders goal…making it the full 8 seconds and came close at 7.4 seconds, but continues to dream of that perfect ride! He aspires to ride in the PBR one day, and continues to work hard at his sport, and hopes to dominate his competition…that 2000 pound bull!

Baseball, Hotdogs, Apple pie and Chevrolet! They just go together in the USA! And Colby Driver (age 17) and baseball just go together as they live every young American boy’s dream of playing on the baseball diamond. Colby is a top athlete at Fayette High School and has been playing baseball since he was 5-years-old, and has played for Fayette Middle & Fayette High School since 8th Grade. He plays outfield and pitches for the Fayette Tigers and this past year had the highest batting average on the team! Colby is entering his senior year at Fayette County High School and already has three colleges interested him.

Cory & Colby are the sons of Fred & Rebecca Driver of Fayette. Rebecca is a professional floral designer employed at Ellen’s Flowers & Gifts of Fayette, and Fred is the manager of the meat market at Fayette’s Hometown Shop & Save.

WLDX and Fayette are proud to call these young men their very own and wish them the best, in the hard work yet to come in pursuing their dreams of the PBR and baseball on the collegiate level.

Posted: 2010-08-06 11:31:00 | Last Updated: 2010-08-06 09:42:00

A New Show Beginning Sunday August 8th!

By Joe Jackson

A new show entitled the "The Believers Walk" is coming to WLDX! Beginning Sunday August 8th from 9 a.m. un til 9:30 a.m. The Believers Walk is a weekly broadcast teaching the uncompromised Word of God ministering the message of salvation, faith, love, healing, prosperity and restoration to help people find the answers they need in God’s Word. The Believers Walk desires to impact our community for Christ and change lives everyday! Join WLDX this Sunday for The Believers Walk!

Posted: 2010-08-05 06:13:00 | Last Updated: 2010-08-05 06:13:00

An Iceman In August?

By WLDX

The folks at M&M Service Center cleaned out their ice box this past Monday, August 2, 2010 and got creative. Of course, wishful thinking and dreaming of the Fall temperatures to come! The "Iceman" only survived 15 minutes in the extreme heat conditions we are experiencing in Northwest Alabama. WLDX would like to remind everyone to continue to stay hydrated and drink plenty of fluids in these extreme heat conditions.

Posted: 2010-08-04 12:19:00 | Last Updated: 2010-08-04 12:19:00

Calling All "Pride of the Tigers" Alumni!

By WLDX

The Fayette Band Foundation is organizing a "Pride of the Tigers" Alumni Band that will perform during the Tigers football game against Haleyville on September 17. If you were ever a member of the FCHS Band and would like to participate in the Alumni Band, send an email to prideofthetigers@hotmail.com .

Posted: 2010-07-31 21:54:00 | Last Updated: 2010-07-31 21:54:00

Heat Continues

By NWN

THE ALABAMA DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH ADVISES THE PUBLIC TO BE ALERT TO THE WARNING SIGNALS OF HEAT ILLNESSES. THE NATIONAL WEATHERSERVICE IN BIRMINGHAM HAS EXTENDED THE HEAT ADVISORY UNTIL 7 PM CDT MONDAY FOR ALL OF CENTRAL ALABAMA.

THE COMBINATION OF HEAT AND HUMIDITY WILL CREATE DAYTIME AFTERNOON HEAT INDEX VALUES NEAR OR ABOVE 105 DEGREES F FOR THIS AFTERNOON AND THROUGH THE WEEKEND, ACCORDING TO THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE. IN ADDITION, OVERNIGHT TEMPERATURES WILL NOT PROVIDE MUCH RELIEF AS TEMPERATURES WILL NOT DROP BELOW 75 DEGREES F SO THAT ANY HEAT THAT BUILDS UP IN INDOOR AREAS WILL HAVE VERY LITTLE OPPORTUNITY TO ESCAPE.

PEOPLE SHOULD DRINK PLENTY OF WATER, STAY IN AN AIR-CONDITIONED ROOM, AND KEEP OUT OF THE SUN. THE PUBLIC SHOULD ALSO CHECK ON THE ELDERLY AND ENSURE PETS HAVE PLENTY OF WATER TO DRINK AND A SHADY PLACE TO COOL OFF.

HEAT RELATED ILLNESSES OCCUR WHEN THE BODY`S TEMPERATURE CONTROL SYSTEM IS OVERLOADED. THE ALABAMA DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTHCAUTIONS EVERYONE TO BE ALERT TO THE WARNINGS THAT MAY SIGNAL HELP IS NEEDED.

HEAT STROKE, SOMETIMES CALLED SUNSTROKE, IS THE MOST SERIOUS HEAT RELATED ILLNESS. IT OCCURS WHEN THE BODY BECOMES UNABLE TO CONTROL ITS TEMPERATURE. THE BODY`S TEMPERATURE RISES RAPIDLY, THE SWEATING MECHANISM FAILS AND THE BODY IS UNABLE TO COOL DOWN. BODY TEMPERATURE MAY RISE TO 106 DEGREES F OR HIGHER WITHIN 10 TO 15 MINUTES. HEAT STROKE CAN CAUSE DEATH OR PERMANENT DISABILITY IFEMERGENCY TREATMENT IS NOT PROVIDED.

GET THE PERSON TO A SHADY AREA, COOL RAPIDLY IN A TUB OF COOL WATER, PLACE IN A COOL SHOWER, SPRAY WITH COOL WATER FROM A GARDEN HOSE, SPLASH WITH COOL WATER, OR, IF THE HUMIDITY IS LOW, PLACE IN A COOL, WET SHEET AND FAN VIGOROUSLY. MONITOR BODY TEMPERATURE AND CONTINUE COOLING EFFORTS UNTIL THE PERSON`S BODY TEMPERATURE DROPS TO 101 TO 102 DEGREES F. IF EMERGENCY MEDICAL PERSONNEL ARE DELAYED, CALL A HOSPITAL EMERGENCY ROOM FOR FURTHER INSTRUCTIONS.

DR. DONALD WILLIAMSON, STATE HEALTH OFFICER, SAID, "HEAT STROKE IS A LIFE-THREATENING EMERGENCY. A PERSON WITH HEAT STROKE IS LIKELYTO BE UNCONSCIOUS OR UNRESPONSIVE, SO HE OR SHE CANNOT SAFELY CONSUME ANY LIQUIDS. UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES SHOULD YOU GIVE ANYALCOHOL TO A PERSON WITH HEAT STROKE OR ANY HEAT ILLNESS."

FOLLOW THESE PREVENTIVE MEASURES TO AVOID HEAT ILLNESSES:

-DRINK MORE FLUIDS, AND AVOID BEVERAGES CONTAINING ALCOHOL OR CAFFEINE.-WHEN TEMPERATURES ARE EXTREME, STAY INDOORS, IDEALLY IN AN AIR-CONDITIONED PLACE.-TAKE A COOL SHOWER OR BATH, AND REDUCE OR ELIMINATE STRENUOUS ACTIVITIES DURING THE HOTTEST TIME OF THE DAY.-PROTECT YOURSELF FROM THE SUN WITH A WIDE BRIMMED HAT, LIGHT COLORED AND LOOSE FITTING CLOTHING, AND USE A SUNSCREEN OF SPF 15OR HIGHER.-NEVER LEAVE PETS OR PEOPLE IN A PARKED VEHICLE.

INDIVIDUALS WITH HEART PROBLEMS, POOR CIRCULATION, DIABETES, A PREVIOUS STROKE OR OBESITY ARE AT GREATER RISK OF BECOMING SICKIN HOT WEATHER. THE RISK OF HEAT RELATED ILLNESS MAY INCREASE AMONG PEOPLE USING MEDICATIONS FOR HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE, NERVOUSNESS OR DEPRESSION.

THE COMBINATION OF HEAT AND HUMIDITY WILL COMBINE TO CREATE HEAT INDEX VALUES NEAR OR ABOVE 105 DEGREES IN MANY LOCATIONS THROUGH SUNDAY AFTERNOON. IN ADDITION...OVERNIGHT TEMPERATURES WILL NOT PROVIDE GREAT RELIEF AS THESE LOWS WILL REMAIN IN THE MID 70S IN MANY PLACES. THE MUGGY CONDITIONS WILL LIKELY AFFECT CENTRAL ALABAMA INTO NEXT WEEK AND THE ADVISORY MAY BE EXTENDED AT A FUTURE DATE.

...PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A HEAT ADVISORY MEANS THAT A PERIOD OF HOT TEMPERATURES IS EXPECTED. THE COMBINATION OF HOT TEMPERATURES AND HIGH HUMIDITY WILL COMBINE TO CREATE A SITUATION IN WHICH HEAT ILLNESSES ARE POSSIBLE. DRINK PLENTY OF FLUIDS...STAY IN AN AIR-CONDITIONED ROOM...STAY OUT OF THE SUN...AND CHECK UP ON RELATIVES AND NEIGHBORS. MAKE SURE YOUR PETS HAVE PLENTY OF WATER AND SHELTER.

Posted: 2010-07-31 09:24:00 | Last Updated: 2010-07-31 09:24:00

Alabama Pawn & Cash In Fayette Has Fund Raiser For Family In Need

By WLDX

A drawing was held July 30th at Alabama Pawn & Cash, located on Temple Ave North, to give away a Taurus Judge 410/45 long Colt and a beautuful picture with frame. The drawing was held to assist in the payment of materials to add two bedrooms and a bathroom at the home of Patty Earnest. The added rooms were to assist her in taking care of her two grand-daughters after the untimely death of her son in law Cliff Bonner, an employee of the Fayette Water Board, June 29th. The grand-daughters Kendra (left) and Allie (right) were on hand to draw the names of the lucky winners. The 1st prize winner of the Taurus long Colt was Daniel Brasher and the 2nd prize winner of a beautiful picture with frame was Morgan Spiller. The drawing was set in motion by two Fayette Water Board employees, David Higgins and John Aaron, also Rusty Jones, and owner and operator of Alabama Pawn & Cash Barry Friedman.

Posted: 2010-07-30 12:12:00 | Last Updated: 2010-08-02 12:42:00

Fayette Comprehensive Planning Meeting

By WLDX

A meeting was held at the Fayette Civic Center Thursday night, July 29th to discuss and to get input from citizens of Fayette to incoporate a Community Master Plan for the growth of Fayette. Many studies and plans have been initiated over the last years and many improvements have been accomplished in our present 5-year Strategic Plan. The city, along with the help of the Fayette Water Board and the Fayette Gas Board, have secured a certified planning consultant, Larry Watts, to help Fayette with the developement of Fayette's comprehensive plan. Mr. Watts has been doing community plans over a 30 year career. He was highly recommended by the state and has an outstanding reputation in community planning. The following were part of a slide show presented to the community concerning our assets, the vision, and plan.

Posted: 2010-07-30 08:26:00 | Last Updated: 2010-07-30 09:58:00

Frog Level Is Getting Ready To Hop!

By WLDX

Missy Miles of Wayside painting the beautiful Frog Level Festival murals... Can be seen across from the former Patio Pizzaria! Be sure to mark your calendars for Fayette's Frog Level Festival October 1st & 2nd

Posted: 2010-07-29 08:25:00 | Last Updated: 2010-07-29 08:25:00

Tax Free Weekend is August 6-8

By WLDX

Alabama will hold its Sales Tax Holiday again this year! The City of Fayette and Fayette County is participating in the Sales Tax Holiday that will be held Fiday, August 6th through Sunday, August 8th. Shoppers may purchase specified school supplies, school clothing, computers, and computer accessories FREE of State and local sales tax. You can shop smart and shop Fayette!

Posted: 2010-07-28 10:36:00 | Last Updated: 2010-08-02 12:53:00

Shelby Announces $15 Million for Health Sciences Center at the University of Alabama

By WLDX

U.S. Senator Richard Shelby (R-Ala.), a member of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, today announced Committee approval of the fiscal year 2011 Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies Appropriations bill. Included in this bill is $15 million for the Health Sciences Center at the University of Alabama. Upon completion, this facility will be a part of the larger interdisciplinary science and engineering research center on the University of Alabama’s campus. Following today’s action by the Committee, the bill will now go to the full Senate for consideration.

“Researchers at this facility will engage in cutting-edge research that will benefit people throughout the Southeast and across the nation,” said Shelby. “It is critical that researchers and students have the most up-to-date facilities and technology available to conduct their important work. I look forward to learning of the important strides made at this facility in the future.”

Many soldiers of the 168th Engineer Company, HSC 877 Engineer Battalion, FSC 877 Engineer Battalion, and the 1305th Survey and Design Team spent this past weekend (July 24th & 25th) at the Sheraton Hotel in Birmingham, Alabama. The soldiers participated in the Yellow Ribbon Ceremony which was in regards to the Freedom Salute for Operation Enduring Freedom.

The men and women shake the hands of our superior officers during the ceremony.

The families of the Guard.

Yours truly after receiving the certificate of appreciation.

Posted: 2010-07-26 14:14:00 | Last Updated: 2010-07-26 12:43:00

COOLING OFF WITH POOL FUN!

By WLDX

Summer memories and lifelong friendships are made at Fayette's Country Club Pool, Claire Holliman and Kailee Hubbert, definately know how to beat the heat, while enjoying pool time.

Posted: 2010-07-25 08:49:00 | Last Updated: 2010-07-25 07:28:00

COOPER DEAN OF FAYETTE TURNS UP THE HEAT & QUALIFIES FOR THE USEF NATIONAL PONY FINALS!

By WLDX

It was a day to remember, as Cooper Dean (of Fayette) and his pony "Smooch'N On Me" competed in the sun-drenched days at Auburn, Alabama in the Medium Pony Hunter Division and USEF (United States Equestrian Federation) Pony Medal classes June 12th & 13th and won 1st Place in the Pony Medal class out of over 20 ponies which qualified him and his pony for this years National Pony Finals to be held at The Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, KentuckyAugust 10th thru August 15th, 2010.

The Show in Auburn is considered an "A" rated show, which is a National ranked show, and offers horse showing classes to qualify for events like the National Pony Finals. Cooper's Mother and Coach states: "This was Cooper's first ever "A" show experience, and we went as a learning experience, and to qualify for such an event, is like the icing on the cake and a huge honor!" We took him to the show as he needed what we call in the horse industry "mileage" and to learn by doing and from the experience. "This was especially a special win as, the deadline for qualifying for this years Pony Finals was July 1st."

To top it off ...the pair showed again in Auburn this past weekend to prepare for such a huge event as the Pony Finals, and ended winning First Place in the Medium Pony Hunters which qualified him and his pony for the 2011 National Pony Finals in the Hunter portion of the the Pony Finals.

At the National Pony Finals there are over 500 ponies from all over the nation that come together to compete. Only the children can ride their ponies to practice at this horse show, no professional, or other trainer can get on the children's ponies. This event is all about the children and their ponies.

As his mother, and Coach, of course we (husband Steve & I) take this seriously. Cooper chooses horses and one other sport in the spring and fall. Dean states, " I have coached kids in this sport for over 35 years, and I see parents who get their kids involved in everything thinking.... ' I want my child to be well rounded'. Well in my experience, if a parent has their child in softball, basketball, scouts, karate, gymnastics etc then add school and church...the children and the parents don't know if they are coming or going, and most importantly the child never excels at anything as they are doing everything. Really good child gymnasts spend a minimum of 30 hours in the gym, and it is even more important in this sport with a 1000 LB animal to be physically fit and spend many hours a day/week in the saddle to become one with your horse or pony, and to be a winner on a competitive level.

Dean believes, if you find something your child loves to do do, encourage it whether it is horses or some other sport, as I have found children who are involved in a sport, are less likely to go down the wrong road, they develop into young leaders, as they have learned to be goal oriented and have a great work ethic.

"Cooper has a special pony, that we have trained up ourselves, and that keeps costs down." Cooper at age 11 also helps out at Hunter Creek Stables, by helping around the stables, anything from feeding horses, mucking stalls, cleaning tack, to riding a horse or pony that needs a more experienced rider. Dean said, "Cooper asked on the way home from the Auburn show, Mommy when do I get to ride "Patton", and can I be the first to ride "Bubbles"? He truly loves getting to ride different horses, and spending time in the saddle." We are especially proud of his latest accomplishments, and we thank God everyday for the gift he has given to us when he created the horse for all of us to enjoy....even if it's just to enjoy looking at their beauty!

Posted: 2010-07-22 10:22:00 | Last Updated: 2010-07-22 08:42:00

LOCAL 4H KIDS GALLOP INTO VICTORY!

By WLDX

THE FAYETTE COUNTY 4H HORSE-N-AROUND CLUB WINS BIG AT 2010 4H STATE CHAMPIONSHIP SHOW!

Julianna Dubileak (age 13), Cooper Dean (age 11), Josie Perkins (age 11), and Allie Lyle (age 14) made up this years 4H team. According to Volunteer and Coach Jill Dean, "The children spent many hours in the 95 plus degree weather, preparing for this years competition, and their hard work paid off. All the children on the team, came home with Top 5 winnings! "

The Junior Horse judging team(Julianna, Cooper, & Josie) from Fayette, took home 3rd place as a team in the 4H Horse Judging competition! This years team was a young team, and to come home with a team 3rd place win, shows how hard they worked on learning how to judge a group of horses.

The highlights of their wins:

Julianna Dubielak and her pony "Get Over It', earned a 2nd place in Hunter Type Mares 14.2 hands and under, 2nd Place in Pony Hunter over fences, ribboned in the Dressage portion of the competition, and many more top 5 finishes, which qualified Julianna and her mount for this years Southern Regional 4H Horse Championships! Coach Jill Dean, states "Julianna has been in our lesson program for 2 years, and last year leased a Hunter Creek Stables lesson pony, and this year her parents found a couple of horses that someone wanted to give away, and they asked me if I would evaluate her horse to see if it could develop into a show horse.""We trailered the pony to Hunter Creek, to give her a try for a few weeks, as her pony had only ever been trail ridden, didn't know leads, just knew to go fast." After a few weeks, Coach Dean felt it was worth giving her pony the time of professional training. Coach Dean states, "Julianna loves her sport so much, that she is willing to be a working student, which allows her to be onsite, riding every horse she can get a chance to ride, and her hard work and many, many hours in the saddle every day.... gives her the coaching & training she needs to improve her skills,in a safe professional setting and definitely earned her top ribbons at this years Alabama State 4H horse Championships."

Josie Perkins and her horse "As You Wish", also took home top honors on her "green" young horse, the pair took home the honor of 3rd place in Hunt Seat Equitation Over Fences, and 4th place in Hunter Type over 14.2 hands and over. Coach Dean states "I am extremely proud of Josie and her horse, as they are coming along nicely.""Prior to Josie's mother, buying "As You Wish....her horse used to be a western horse, but was just too big for that discipline of riding.""With Josie's commitment to coming to the stable almost every day twice a day, during the extreme heat, she was able to go clean and secure 3rd place in her first ever Hunt Seat Equitation Over Fences, which for people who don't understand what that is....it means the jumps are taller, and the children are judged on their riding position over jumps." Coach Dean states, Josie is a joy to teach, as she loves being at the stable, working her horse, or any horse she gets a chance to ride!

Allie Lyle and her horse "Blue jeans & Pearls", won Grand Champion Hunter Type Mares, and 2nd place in Senior Hunter Under Saddle,plus many other Top Five finishes and her top wins qualified her for the 2010 Southern Regional Horse Championships! Coach Dean states, "Allie was our only Senior rider this year, and Allie was a super role model for the younger children.""Allie comes from Hamilton, several times a week to train and ride at Hunter Creek Stables, and her parents are super supportive of her love for her sport, and sacrifice much to allow her to spend many hours and days, training and preparing for such a competition."

Cooper Dean and his pony "Smooch'N On Me", took home 1st place in Hunt Seat Equitation Over Fences, 1st place in Pony Hunter Over Fences, 1st place in Junior Equitation on the Flat, and 1st place in Junior Hunt Seat Showmanship. He ribboned in Dressage which secured his win of the Junior Hunt Seat High Point Belt Buckle! Mother and Coach states "Cooper has spent many hours in the saddle this summer, he understands that "You Get Out, What You Put Into Something" and his dedication to the Physical fitness of himself as a rider and the fitness of his pony in extreme heat, and all his hard work paved the way to earning the Top Honors at this Years Alabama State 4H Horse Championships!"

The 2010 Southern Regional 4H Horse Championships will be held in Clemson, South CarolinaJuly 28 thru August 1st.

Posted: 2010-07-19 15:57:00 | Last Updated: 2010-07-20 15:05:00

June Unemployment Figures

By Glenn CollinsNWNews.us

MONTGOMERY (NWN) -- The unemployment rate in Fayette County for June jumped to 14.0% from May's 12.3%, a jump similar to, but not as high as, the same period in 2009. The number is still a full percentage point lower than the 18-month high. Meanwhile, the statewide rate fell to 10.3% from 10.7% for June, the first time since August 2007 that the seasonally adjusted rate is not higher than the previous year’s rate.

“This is the first significant drop in our unemployment rate that we’ve experienced for some time,” said Alabama Department of Industrial Relations Director Tom Surtees. “We are certainly glad to see it. However, the more than 200,000 unemployed Alabamians probably don’t feel this way. I’d like to encourage those who are unemployed to visit one of our Career Centers across the state to receive assistance in finding a new job or receiving technical or educational training.”

The counties with the lowest unemployment rates were: Shelby at 7.7%, Madison at 7.9%, and Coffee at 8.1%. The counties with the highest unemployment rates were: Wilcox at 23.6%, Dallas at 18.5%, and Perry at 18.3%.

Posted: 2010-07-19 15:27:00 | Last Updated: 2010-07-19 18:28:00

Verterans Get Much Needed Assistance From VA

By Joe Jackson

As of this week, according to a new rule enacted by the Veterans Administration, veterans experiencing the symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder are no longer required to document specific events or locations where traumatic incidents occurred to receive disability benefits. The final diagnosis of PTSD, however, can only be made by a physician or psychologist working for the Department of Veterans Affairs. Department officials assert that this is to prevent malingering, or the receipt of benefits by veterans who are faking symptoms. The main symptoms of PTSD are flashbacks, emotional detachment, and jumpiness. If you or someone you know seems to be going through PTSD after returning from overseas contact your local VA office today. You can contact the Tuscaloosa VA Medical Center toll free at 1-88-269-3045.

Posted: 2010-07-18 00:00:00 | Last Updated: 2010-07-18 00:00:00

No More "Silver-ware" Parties

By Glenn CollinsNWNews.us

MONTGOMERY (NWN) -- The State of Alabama is cracking down on “Silver-ware” parties, so the next time you are at a friend’s house to sell your gold, silver or other precious item, you will want to ask to see the buyer’s license. Alabama law now requires anyone who buys “precious items for the purpose of reselling” to purchase a business license and to have a permanent place of business.

The law, effective July 1, also requires dealers to maintain records concerning precious items bought for re-sale, to transmit these records to local law enforcement, and to hold items for 15 business days after reporting them. Anyone who violates the new law is guilty of a Class B misdemeanor.

Posted: 2010-07-15 00:00:00 | Last Updated: 2010-07-15 00:00:00

Fayette County Runoff Election Results

By WLDX

Here are the final, unofficial results from Fayette County for the statewide runoff election held on Tuesday, July 13:

REPUBLICAN

Governor

Robert Bentley 2,144

Bradley Byrne 312

Commissioner of Agriculture

Dorman Grace 1,266

John McMilan 915

Public Service Commission, Place 1

Twinkle Andress Cavanaugh 871

Stephen Evans 1,108

DEMOCRAT

Attorney General

James Anderson 101

Giles Perkins 40

Posted: 2010-07-13 21:07:22 | Last Updated: 2010-07-13 19:26:00

Guin Goes Wet

By Glenn CollinsNWNews.us

GUIN (NWN) -- Guin held its Wet/Dry vote Tuesday and voters chose to allow the sale of alcoholic beverages in their city limits. The vote was 617-388.

Posted: 2010-07-13 20:07:03 | Last Updated: 2010-07-14 09:30:00

Funeral Listings Page Expanded

By WLDX

As a public service, WLDX.com will now include Funeral Listings from funeral homes in our surrounding area. Visitors to WLDX.com will now be able to view listings from Dowdle Funeral Home of Millport, Chandler Funeral Home of Vernon, Otts Funeral Home of Sulligent and Norwood Funeral Home of Sulligent and Guin. More funeral homes will be added at a later time. Click on the "Funerals" link above to see all current announcements.

Posted: 2010-07-13 18:07:11 | Last Updated: 2010-07-13 18:07:11

Greg Lowery Climbing That Ladder!!

By Joe Jackson

It's always great to know someone that God has given a special gift to and watch them really grow in a profession they love. Greg Lowery is a quote "Professional Touring Entertainer, TV Personality in multiple markets, Session picker / Vocalist covering a wide range musical styles and venues". I remembered him back in the years bringing his music to our station (of course I still pester him to this day to get some more of his music here, ha-ha) and of course you can just see the talent dripping off of him. He has done so many things in his life you would just have to visit his website to read about it by clicking on the photo above. Now he has a CD out entitled "Revival Hymns" that you can purchase on-line, at Feed My Sheep or Smith's Christian Book Store. Whichever store you purchase it from you will be truly blessed in hearing one of Fayette Counties most talented performer. This radio announcer is especially thankful that God has placed him in his Life. Make sure to be listening to Morning Call July 19th through July 23rd. WLDX will be giving away one autographed CD each day.

.

Posted: 2010-07-13 14:07:07 | Last Updated: 2010-07-13 15:57:00

FAMILY & FRIENDS MEET TO EAT AT LISA'S BARBEQUE!!

By JILL DEAN

It's a tradition in Fayette to go to Lisa's Barbeque, not just for the great food, but as you know ...it's a Southern Tradition to sit down to eat together with family and friends....and at Lisa's Barbeque you will always see someone you know! Maybe even see generations of family or friends! It was a special day for Owners, Kalos and Peggy Sims, to have their grandchildren and even a great grandson(Preston Wallace) join them for lunch. It's always "Come Back Flavor" at Lisa's Barbeque and of course, a great place to meet up with family and friends. Pictured (Kaleb, Kalos,Derek,Katie,Carli Beth,Peggy,and Preston! and Proud Great GrandDad with baby Preston)

Posted: 2010-07-09 14:07:19 | Last Updated: 2010-07-09 19:28:00

SPECIAL SHOW ON MORNING CALL JULY 14TH ON WLDX!!

By Joe Jackson

To find out the answer to the question you have to attend the Fayette County 4-H Dairy Day Camp that will be held on Thursday, July 15th from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m. at the Fayette Housing Authority Community Center. Ronni Rena with a special guest will be on WLDX during Morning Call with Chris Champion and John Gordon Wednesday, July 14th to give our listeners full details of this event. So make sure to be listening to WLDX and WLDX dot com to hear it all.

Posted: 2010-07-08 12:07:12 | Last Updated: 2010-07-08 12:07:12

Freedom was Ringing in Fayette!!!

By Joe Jackson

The citizens of Fayette gathered at Guthrie Smith Park to Celebrate the 4th of July. The Fayette First Baptist Church invited everyone to a day of celebrating our Freedom and Faith. "The Old Paths" did a great job entertaining, while the crowds were eating delicious grilled hot-dogs and chips. The event finished with a spectacular display of fireworks at 9 p.m. It was a day of rejoicing and WLDX would like to thank Fayette First Baptist Church for hosting such a special event . See you next year.

Posted: 2010-07-05 09:07:13 | Last Updated: 2010-07-05 15:15:00

TWO GREAT TALK SHOWS ADDED TO WLDX LINE UP!!

By WLDX

WLDX as added two popular talk shows to their line up. Beginning Monday, July 5th the Clark Howard Show will air week days from 1 p.m. - 4 p.m. Clark takes phone calls from the audience of his popular radio show, helps viewers in his Money Coach series, plus provides consumer advice and travel tips. Another popular show the Neal Boortz Show will be airing week nights from 6 p.m. - 9 p.m. The show centers around politics, current events, social issues and miscellaneous topics of interest, which Boortz discusses with callers, correspondents and guests. Boortz touches on many controversial topics and refers to himself an "equal opportunity offender."

Many Fayette folks have expressed just how much they enjoy our NEW website!! One in particular has even asked that a correction be made on a story that was posted. The Splash Pad that was posted stated it was for free. A mother of two children reminded us that it is not free. A black honor box is located at the entrance of the Splash Pad and parents are supposed to pay $1.00 for each child that enters. We here at WLDX wish to remind parents to practice the honor the system to help in the payment of the water being used at the Splash Pad. Though the Splash Pad is not free, it is still the cheapest way to take your children out to cool off during these hot summer days.

Posted: 2010-06-30 10:06:39 | Last Updated: 2010-07-12 07:22:00

Fayette City Council To Hold Special Meeting

By WLDX

The Fayette City Council will hold a Special Meeting on Tuesday, June 29, at 11:30 a.m. Items on the agenda include the Alcohol Draft Ordinance and the 2010 Sales Tax Holiday. The meeting is open to the public.

Posted: 2010-06-28 06:06:58 | Last Updated: 2010-06-28 06:06:58

Proposed Alcohol Ordinance

By WLDX

As mentioned by Mayor Ray Nelson Friday morning on "Morning Call," click on the PDF icon to view the proposed ordinance concerning sale of alcohol within the City of Fayette.

Posted: 2010-06-25 15:29:14 | Last Updated: 2010-06-27 09:06:00

City Council Meeting Summary

By WLDX

The Fayette City Council Meeting was held on June 22, 2010. The Following is a summary of the meeting.

Fayette City Comprehensive Plan Status Report – The Fayette City Council has scheduled a citizen meeting to provide citizen input into the Community Master Plan for growth of the city. The meeting is scheduled for July 20th at 6:00 at the Fayette Civic Center.

Kip Madison, Fayette City Airport manager, reported to the city council that the 6 month Airport lease agreement with Tommy Nix is working well and many improvements are being planned for the airport.

The City Council declared 6 items (old cast iron piping, lent filters, old metal ladder) as surplus property and donated these items to the Fayette Historical Society. They plan to sell these items for scrap metal and use the monies to operate the Train Depot Museum.

The council reviewed a request from Greg Hubbert, former fire chief, to consider part time employment for firefighters who need to keep their certification updated. The request stated that part time firemen would help eliminate OT. Chief Tony Ellis was in support of the request and the city council took the request under advisement.

Announcement – USDA Rural Development Housing Seminar is scheduled for June 24th at 5-7 at the Fayette Civic Center. The focus is on providing financing for new construction and existing home purchases.

Mosquito spraying will begin the week of June 21. Repairs to equipment have delayed the beginning of spraying season.

Posted: 2010-06-24 10:06:22 | Last Updated: 2010-06-24 08:22:00

Fayette Voters Choose To Go Wet

By WLDX

Voters in the City of Fayette have chosen to allow the sale of alcoholic beverages in the city limits.

Unofficial results: including the Absentees

Yes1,036 57.6%

No 763 42.4%

A total of 1,799 registered city voters, which is 60%, voted today.

Posted: 2010-06-22 19:06:30 | Last Updated: 2010-06-22 18:03:00

Polls Are Now Closed In Fayette

By WLDX

The polls for the wet/dry referendum are now closed in Fayette. WLDX and wldx.com will have the results as soon as possible.

Posted: 2010-06-22 19:06:23 | Last Updated: 2010-06-22 17:41:00

Voting Continues In Fayette!!!

By WLDX

As of 2:16 p.m. 1,011 registered city voters had shown up at the Fayette Civic Center to vote for the Wet/Dry vote.

That is 34.7 % of registered voters in the City of Fayette. Polls will be open to 7 p.m. and WLDX will broadcast LIVE! the results of todays votes a little after 7 this evening.

Posted: 2010-06-22 13:06:17 | Last Updated: 2010-06-22 12:19:00

Coming Out in Droves!!

By WLDX

Many citizens of Fayette have made their way to the Fayette County Civic Center to cast their vote to go wet or to remain dry.

As of 12:19 p.m. today, June 22nd, there were 752 votes an average of 150 votes per hour. Over 24% of the registered voters in the city of Fayette have already placed their vote. Polls are open till 7 p.m. WLDX will broadcast live the results a little after 7 p.m. this evening.

Posted: 2010-06-22 12:06:16 | Last Updated: 2010-06-22 11:31:00

Over 570 Votes in the first four hours

By WLDX

There have been over 570 votes as of 11am in the Wet/Dry vote today at the Fayette Civic Center. That is more than 19% of the registered voters in the city of Fayette. Stay tuned to WLDX am990 and wldx.com for hourly reports as well as the final results after 7pm.

Posted: 2010-06-22 11:06:45 | Last Updated: 2010-06-22 10:54:00

9am Update on Wet/Dry Vote

By WLDX

As of 9am over 300 voters have been thru the polls. That is 10% of the registered voters in the city of Fayette.

Posted: 2010-06-22 09:06:37 | Last Updated: 2010-06-22 09:06:37

Voter Turn Out Expected To Be High

By WLDX

Voter turn out for today's Wet/Dry vote is expected to be high. In the first 45 minutes the poll was open, 105 votes had already been cast. Don't forget to vote today if you live inside the Fayette city limits and are a registered voter. The only polling place is the Fayette Civic Center and it will be open untill 7pm.

Posted: 2010-06-22 08:06:21 | Last Updated: 2010-06-22 06:15:00

VOTE TODAY! JUNE 22ND, 2010

By WLDX

Whether you are voting YES or NO, excercise your right to vote!!

Voting polls for registered voters in the city, will be open Tuesday, June 22, 7 AM until 7 PM, at Fayette Civic Center.

GO VOTE!

Posted: 2010-06-21 09:06:15 | Last Updated: 2010-06-22 05:00:00

Come Back To God America

By Joe Jackson

Dogwood Productions 13th Annual Presentation of "Come Back To God America" held Saturday, June 19th was a huge success!! It is an inspiring musical and brings the message to America to come back to God for he is the one that can show us the righteous path. As Miborn Savge Jr and Valerie Swanigan sings the song "Order My Steps" on stage. This song encourages everyone to pray to God to show everyone the right path to walk. Hooah! goes out to Dogwood Productions from all the military men and women who have served and who is serving today overseas. Keep up the good work!

Posted: 2010-06-20 08:06:38 | Last Updated: 2010-06-20 12:56:00

Dogwood Productions Presents

By WLDX

Dogwood Productions will present "Come Back to God America" on Saturday, June 19th at the Fayette Civic Center. Tickets are still on sale at the door. There will be two shows on Saturday at 2pm and 7pm.

Posted: 2010-06-19 11:06:11 | Last Updated: 2010-06-19 09:20:00

Carbon Hill Alcohol Tax Revenue

By WLDX

Carbon Hill's Wet/Dry vote was held and accepted on December 17, 2009. Alcohol sales started April 1, 2010. Carbon Hill's City Council announced Thursday, June 17, 2010 their tax revenue collected from the new alcohol tax for April 2010 from two stores totaled $7,686.32. For May 2010 from two stores, the alcohol tax collected totaled $8,580.18. Polly Haley, City Clerk for Carbon Hill, stated that the "Carbon Hill alcohol tax account will be used for differrent projects, if Carbon Hill needs something, like if a street needs repaired". Information regarding DUI's or if any new police were hired were not discussed at the meeting.

Posted: 2010-06-18 10:06:41 | Last Updated: 2010-06-18 11:40:00

Which Sign Are You For?

By Joe Jackson

Are you the sign of change or to remain the same? The Wet/Dry vote will be held June 22nd and voters within the city limits will decide. Polls will open at 7 a.m. for you to cast your vote. Click Xchat to express your views!!

Posted: 2010-06-14 14:06:58 | Last Updated: 2010-06-17 14:34:00

Rodeo Weekend!!

By Joe Jackson

It was a great night at the rodeo! The Fayette Cattlemen's Association PCA 4th Annual Rodeo was held Friday, June 11th and 12th. Many attendees were entertained on these nights with bronco riding, bull riding, and many other events.

Posted: 2010-06-13 08:06:27 | Last Updated: 2010-06-14 09:16:00

IT'S TIME FOR THE RODEO!!

By Joe Jackson

The Fayette Cattlemen's Association's 4th Annual PCA Rodeo will be held Friday, June 11, and Saturday, June 12, at 7:30 PM nightly, at the Fayette Indoor Multi-Purpose Complex.

Admission is $10, 12 & under $5, 6 & under FREE! There will be calf roping, barrell racing, steer wrestling, bronc riding, team roping, greased pig, and the chicken chase.

Posted: 2010-06-11 11:06:50 | Last Updated: 2010-06-14 09:15:00

Exercise Your Right To Vote

By WLDX

If you want to take advantage of your right to VOTE and and live in the Fayette City limits, you must register no later than Friday, June 11. The last day to apply for a regular absentee ballot is Thursday, June 17. Make sure to register on or before the dates specified and exercise your right to vote in the June 22 Wet/Dry City election. For information on voting, call Dawn Clapp at City Hall at 932-5367.

Posted: 2010-06-10 10:06:27 | Last Updated: 2010-06-10 14:32:00

James To Seek Recount

By WLDX

Tim James, Republican candidate for Governor, has announced he will seek a recount of the June 1 Primary Election results. James placed third in the unofficial returns, some 200 votes behind Robert Bentley. Bradley Byrne, who garnered the most GOP votes, will face either Bentley or James in a runoff election on July 13th. The June 1 results must be certified no earlier than June 11 and no later than June 17. The eventual Republican nominee will face Democrat Ron Sparks in the November General Election.

Posted: 2010-06-07 23:06:43 | Last Updated: 2010-06-07 21:40:00

Funerals Page Up and Running

By Webmaster

The Funerals section of the website is now active. Local funeral homes are once again posting their announcements to wldx.com.

Posted: 2010-06-05 22:06:27 | Last Updated: 2010-06-05 22:06:27

GOP Sheriff Candidate Arrested

By WLDX

Jimmy Ray Swindle, the Republican candidate for Fayette County Sheriff, was arrested Tuesday on a warrant for misdemeanor harassment. Swindle posted $500 bail and was released on the same day as the service of the warrant. Swindle will face incumbent Sheriff and Democratic nominee Rodney Ingle in the November 2 General Election.

Posted: 2010-06-05 06:06:28 | Last Updated: 2010-06-07 15:12:00

Fayette County Election Results

By WLDX

The results for Fayette County offices are as follows (28 of 28 boxes reporting):

Sheriff

Billy Gilbert

339

7.1%

Rodney Ingle

2800

58.6%

Hubert Norris

1637

34.3%

Superintendent

Reba Anderson

1598

35.6%

Wade Shipman

2889

64.4%

County Commission District 3

Danny Eads

68

9.4%

Joe Stewart

273

37.9%

Nicky Whitehead

379

52.6%

Board of Education District 3

Verlon "Jacky" Dozier, Jr.

347

49.4%

Tom Hubbert

355

50.6%

Local Amendment No. 1 (Drug Enforcement)

Yes

3050

60.5%

No

1990

39.5%

These are unofficial totals with Provisional votes to be tabulated later.

Posted: 2010-06-01 19:06:52 | Last Updated: 2010-06-01 19:31:00

Primary Election Day

By WLDX

Voter turnout has been reported as moderate to heavy around Fayette County on this Primary Election day. Tune in to WLDX starting at 7 p.m. for all the latest election results.

Issue: Some people have not received their confirmation emails. Check your spam/junk folder, it could be there. If that does not resolve the issue, send an email to the Webmaster.

Posted: 2010-05-31 06:05:00 | Last Updated: 2010-05-31 06:05:00

Add Your Birthdays Now Active!

By WLDX

Once you register, go to BIRTHDAYS. From there, you'l be able to add your birthdays to the web site! Enjoy.

Posted: 2010-05-30 19:05:13 | Last Updated: 2010-05-30 19:42:00

WLDX to unveil new web site

By WLDX

We'll be unveiling our new web site VERY soon! So keep coming back. In the meantime, feel free to register yourself and your organization. [Register Here] Once you register, you'll be able to add birthdays, add your organization and post to the calendar, chat, add to Switch & Swap, ....

Posted: 2010-05-30 18:05:55 | Last Updated: 2010-05-30 20:50:00

Information For Veterans With PTSD

By Joe Jackson

As of this week, according to a new rule enacted by the Veterans Administration, veterans experiencing the symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder are no longer required to document specific events or locations where traumatic incidents occurred to receive disability benefits. The final diagnosis of PTSD, however, can only be made by a physician or psychologist working for the Department of Veterans Affairs. Department officials assert that this is to prevent malingering, or the receipt of benefits by veterans who are faking symptoms. Soldiers who need help after returning from overseas should contact their local VA office. You can call the Tuscaloosa VA Medical Center toll free at 1-88-269-3045. The main symptoms of PTSD are flashbacks, emotional detachment, and jumpiness.

Posted: 0000-00-00 00:00:00 | Last Updated: 0000-00-00 00:00:00

Information For Veterans With PTSD

By Joe Jackson

As of this week, according to a new rule enacted by the Veterans Administration, veterans experiencing the symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder are no longer required to document specific events or locations where traumatic incidents occurred to receive disability benefits. The final diagnosis of PTSD, however, can only be made by a physician or psychologist working for the Department of Veterans Affairs. Department officials assert that this is to prevent malingering, or the receipt of benefits by veterans who are faking symptoms. The main symptoms of PTSD are flashbacks, emotional detachment, and jumpiness. If you or someone you know seems to be going through PTSD after returning home from overseas contact your local VA office today. You can contact the Tuscaloosa VA Medical Center toll free at 1-88-269-3045.

Posted: 0000-00-00 00:00:00 | Last Updated: 0000-00-00 00:00:00

Information For Veterans With PTSD

By Joe Jackson

As of this week, according to a new rule enacted by the Veterans Administration, veterans experiencing the symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder are no longer required to document specific events or locations where traumatic incidents occurred to receive disability benefits. The final diagnosis of PTSD, however, can only be made by a physician or psychologist working for the Department of Veterans Affairs. Department officials assert that this is to prevent malingering, or the receipt of benefits by veterans who are faking symptoms. The main symptoms of PTSD are flashbacks, emotional detachment, and jumpiness. If you or someone you know seems to be going through PTSD after returning from overseas contact your local VA office today. You can contact the Tuscaloosa VA Medical Center toll free at 1-88-269-3045.

Posted: 0000-00-00 00:00:00 | Last Updated: 0000-00-00 00:00:00

Information For Veterans With PTSD

By Joe Jackson

As of this week, according to a new rule enacted by the Veterans Administration, veterans experiencing the symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder are no longer required to document specific events or locations where traumatic incidents occurred to receive disability benefits. The final diagnosis of PTSD, however, can only be made by a physician or psychologist working for the Department of Veterans Affairs. Department officials assert that this is to prevent malingering, or the receipt of benefits by veterans who are faking symptoms. The main symptoms of PTSD are flashbacks, emotional detachment, and jumpiness. If you or someone you know seems to be going through PTSD after returning from overseas contact your local VA office today. You can contact the Tuscaloosa VA Medical Center toll free at 1-88-269-3045.

Posted: 0000-00-00 00:00:00 | Last Updated: 0000-00-00 00:00:00

Information For Veterans With PTSD

By Joe Jackson

As of this week, according to a new rule enacted by the Veterans Administration, veterans experiencing the symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder are no longer required to document specific events or locations where traumatic incidents occurred to receive disability benefits. The final diagnosis of PTSD, however, can only be made by a physician or psychologist working for the Department of Veterans Affairs. Department officials assert that this is to prevent malingering, or the receipt of benefits by veterans who are faking symptoms. The main symptoms of PTSD are flashbacks, emotional detachment, and jumpiness. If you or someone you know seems to be going through PTSD after returning from overseas contact your local VA office today. You can contact the Tuscaloosa VA Medical Center toll free at 1-88-269-3045.